Forest's Striker Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce 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.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the score shown is the average from all the votes.