Forest's Striker Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
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Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and generally 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 turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.
