Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- 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 clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of making the top eight, although 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 come through 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 – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"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.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
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Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect 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 game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
