Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off 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, although they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
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 early stages when Ryan Yates' cross 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.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker 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 impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host 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 loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed represents the average from all the votes.
