Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in command.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition 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 game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached 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 a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed is the average from all the votes.