Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.