Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed 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 deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee 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: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed is the mean from all the votes.
