Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached 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 a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation 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 a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating displayed is the average from all the votes.
