Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder caps a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute 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 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on Jesus' 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 the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.94
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the score displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
