Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros

Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.

Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they needed several results to go their way.

Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.

A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.

Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.

The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.

That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.

The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.

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

"That was another step, but it is a positive one."

Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On

Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament.

His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.

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

That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.

Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.

These encouraging performances 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.

"The minimum requirement is a response," continued Dyche.

"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.

"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."

Star Performer

Forest Top Players

• Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
• #24: Average Rating 8.75
• #22: Rating 8.63
• #6: Rating 8.0
• N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9

Ferencváros Ratings

• B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
• Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
• K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09