Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents

Igor Jesus 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 game with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.

Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.

Kristoffer Zachariassen 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 that point forward.

They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.

The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.

The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.

Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham 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 guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.

"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive step."

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

This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.

Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the stands.

That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.

Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.

Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.

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

"I have always trusted their commitment 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

Forest Key Performers

• Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
• #24: Rating 8.75
• R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
• I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
• #31: Average Rating 7.94

The Visitors Notable Players

• #11: Average Rating 4.14
• #66: Average Rating 4.1
• K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1