Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents
Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes 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 Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere 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 positive one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Rating 4.14
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the score displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.
