Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros 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 making the top eight, although they required several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross 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 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with six 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 position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
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 the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
