Forest's Striker Fires Twice as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, although they required other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed is the mean from all the votes.
