Forest's Striker Fires Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in control.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in 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 campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended 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 unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), 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 collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
