Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts Forest in command.
- Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright 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 doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The forward's 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 ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty 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 takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"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 stride forward, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.
This double also means he has scored 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 last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Nottingham Forest Key Performers
- #19: Average Rating 9.1
- J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.12
- #16: Rating 4.09
After the opportunity to submit ratings has closed, the rating displayed is the mean from all the votes.
