Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery 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 players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed is the average from all the votes.
