Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the rating shown represents the mean from all the submissions.
