Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros

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

The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed several results to go their way.

Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.

Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.

Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.

The forward's 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.

The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.

The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.

"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.

"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."

Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On

Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.

His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.

Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this match from the directors' box.

That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.

Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.

These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.

"All you can ask for is a response," continued the manager.

"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.

"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."

Player of the Match

Nottingham Forest Top Players

• #19: Average Rating 9.10
• #24: Rating 8.75
• #22: Average Rating 8.6
• I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
• #31: Average Rating 7.94

The Visitors Ratings

• B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
• #66: Rating 4.1
• K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1