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

The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.

Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they required several results to fall in their favor.

Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.

A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.

They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.

Jesus' 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.

The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on the winger.

The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.

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

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

Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands

Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.

This double also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.

Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the directors' box.

That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.

The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing 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 fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.

"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.

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

"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."

Player of the Match

Forest Top Players

• Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
• #24: Average Rating 8.8
• R. Yates: Rating 8.63
• I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
• N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9

Ferencváros Notable Players

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