Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the top eight, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit 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 that point forward.
They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
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Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, 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 impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was very good and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1
Once the chance to rate players has closed, the rating displayed represents the average from all the submissions.
