Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
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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 prospect of a challenge 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.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating displayed represents the average from all the votes.
