Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they required several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort 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.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys 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."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," continued the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed is the mean from all the votes.
