Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a headed effort 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.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th 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.
That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with six of his eleven strikes 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 place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
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 welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed is the average from all the votes.
