Forest fringe shine as Igor Jesus hits double and McAtee steps up in 4-0 Europa win | OneFootball

Igor Jesus extended his European streak as Nottingham Forest thrashed Ferencvaros 4-0. NY Times writes that fringe players seized the stage just as transfer activity intensifies.

Jesus now has six goals in six European games and 11 for the season. With caveats over the standard, his continental tally is one more than John Robertson and two fewer than Garry Birtles and Ian Bowyer.

Forest went ahead when Ryan Yates’ driven cross deflected in off Bence Otvos. Yates then won a challenge and slipped Jesus his first, before Ibrahim Sangare released the Brazilian to hold off his marker and score again. James McAtee converted a calm penalty to the keeper’s left. Ndoye impressed.

This was McAtee’s best display, a week after Braga raised doubts over a £200 million, 13-signing rebuild under Sean Dyche. He created two big chances, looking far freer than in earlier starts.

Dyche said he had urged McAtee to relax and express himself, praising his attitude and training levels. Team-mates’ reaction to the goal underlined that, with regular taker Morgan Gibbs-White among the first over. Had earlier penalties against Sturm Graz or Braga gone in, Forest might have avoided a play-off.

Forest have signed six foot seven striker Lorenzo Lucca from Napoli, and they continue to pursue Jean-Philippe Mateta. After scoring in the 2-0 win at Brentford, Jesus underlined his case. A two-legged play-off now awaits against Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos, fierce rivals of sister club Olympiacos, for a place in the last 16.

Source: NY Times