At a Glance
- Forest were already through to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command.
- Forward adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period.
- The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.
The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they required other matches to go their way.
Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit 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.
They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.
Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), 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 well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another step, but it is a positive one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On
Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes 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 position in attack could be spurring him on.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two superb goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.
Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.
Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host 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 integrity. It is just go and show your ability.
"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Star Performer
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.10
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
- J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
- #22: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
- #31: Average Rating 7.94
The Visitors Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
- #66: Average Rating 4.1
- #16: Rating 4.09
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown represents the mean from all the votes.
