Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive step."
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 half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, 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 Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
