Match Summary
- Forest were previously qualified to the knockout round.
- A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a first-half lead.
- Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command.
- Striker adds a third 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 Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their team can come through 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 – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.
The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.
The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.
This development 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 speed and runs.
Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City 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 Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 The Striker
Average rating: 9.1
Nottingham Forest Top Players
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.63
- #6: Average Rating 8.0
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94
Ferencváros Ratings
- #11: Rating 4.1
- #66: Rating 4.1
- K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating displayed is the average from all the votes.
