Forest's Striker Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – 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 a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, 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 New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed is the average from all the votes.
