Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros
Match Summary
- Forest were already through to the knockout round.
- Bence Otvos own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's European strike puts the team in control.
- Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half.
- James McAtee caps a great performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, although they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.
A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.
"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"That was another step, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.
That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.
Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a response," added the manager.
"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.
"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Match rating: 9.1
Forest Top Players
- #19: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
- R. Yates: Rating 8.6
- #6: Average Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.9
The Visitors Notable Players
- #11: Average Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has closed, the rating displayed represents the mean from all the submissions.
