Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
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Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily 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 overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued the manager.
"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 was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score shown is the mean from all the submissions.
