Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents

The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.

The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.

Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.

A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.

They broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.

The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.

The third strike ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.

The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.

"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.

"This is another step, but it is a good step."

Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands

Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.

His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.

Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.

That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.

Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.

These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.

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

"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.

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

Star Performer

Forest Top Players

• #19: Average Rating 9.10
• J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
• R. Yates: Rating 8.6
• I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
• N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9

Ferencváros Notable Players

• B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
• #66: Average Rating 4.12
• #16: Rating 4.1