Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder caps a great performance with a spot-kick.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.
Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, even though they required several results to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League qualifying round draw 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 result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good step."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development 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 opposition backline with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."
Star Performer
#19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.8
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating shown represents the average from all the submissions.
