Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in control.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a excellent display with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they required several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
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Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place 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 stands.
That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
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