Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
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 past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
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Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the rating shown is the mean from all the submissions.