Forest's Striker Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.
That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
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Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Star Performer
Number: 19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the rating displayed is the average from all the submissions.