Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents

The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.

The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching 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 belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.

A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.

Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.

Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.

That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.

Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.

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

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

Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands

Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.

His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.

Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.

This development 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 speed and runs.

Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display 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 turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.

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

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

"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."

Star Performer

Nottingham Forest Key Performers

• Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
• #24: Rating 8.75
• #22: Rating 8.63
• I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
• #31: Average Rating 7.94

The Visitors Ratings

• #11: Rating 4.14
• Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
• #16: Average Rating 4.09