Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, even though they required several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the score shown represents the average from all the submissions.
