Forest's Striker Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term 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 position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
