Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage 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 next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism 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 reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
