Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents

The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.

The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.

That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.

Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.

Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.

Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.

The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.

Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.

"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.

"This is another step, but it is a positive one."

Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On

Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.

His brace also means he has scored 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.

Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the stands.

That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.

Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.

These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.

"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.

"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.

"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."

Player of the Match

Nottingham Forest Top Players

• #19: Average Rating 9.10
• J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
• #22: Average Rating 8.63
• #6: Average Rating 8.01
• #31: Average Rating 7.9

Ferencváros Ratings

• #11: Average Rating 4.14
• Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
• K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09