Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they needed several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
