Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a penalty.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just 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."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
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 Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.
