Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League 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 reaching the top eight, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed is the mean from all the votes.
