Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, although they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Jesus' 11th 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.
The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the result, there was that feel 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: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed is the mean from all the submissions.
