Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in command.
- Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good step."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
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- #31: Average Rating 7.94
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- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
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