Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder rounds off a great display with a spot-kick.
Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – 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 break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with half 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 prospect of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week 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, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," continued the manager.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- #31: Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating displayed represents the mean from all the votes.
