Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
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 back post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just 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 positive one."
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Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest 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.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
