Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross 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.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating displayed is the mean from all the votes.
