Forest's Striker Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest 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 far post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than 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 good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham 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 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 watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication 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 positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score shown is the average from all the submissions.
