Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived 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 goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score shown is the average from all the votes.
