Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice 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 place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
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 Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown represents the average from all the submissions.
