Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, although they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off 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 result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored 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 last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the votes.
