Forest's Striker Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has got three goals 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 signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international 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 host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating shown is the mean from all the votes.