Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase 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 went into this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post 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 that point forward.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute 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 campaign.
The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating shown is the average from all the votes.