Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents

Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.

Forest had previously guaranteed 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 fall in their favor.

That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.

A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.

They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.

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 beyond the goalkeeper.

That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.

The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.

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

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

Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On

Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.

This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.

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

That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.

The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international 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 Crystal Palace on the weekend.

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

"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.

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

Star Performer

Forest Top Players

• #19: Rating 9.1
• #24: Rating 8.8
• R. Yates: Rating 8.63
• I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
• #31: Rating 7.94

Ferencváros Ratings

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