Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros
At a Glance
- Forest were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control.
- Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half.
- The midfielder 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 comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed other matches to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.
Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."
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Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.
The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued Dyche.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.10
Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
- #6: Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- JĂşlio RomĂŁo: Rating 4.12
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score shown represents the mean from all the votes.