Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a opening period lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in command.
- Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a great display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright 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 then on.
They broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce 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.
"This is another step, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.14
- Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating displayed represents the average from all the submissions.
