Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents

The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage 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 knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.

Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.

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

Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.

Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.

The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on the winger.

The Europa League qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.

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

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

Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On

Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.

His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.

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

That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.

Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.

These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.

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

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

"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."

Star Performer

Forest Key Performers

• Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
• J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
• R. Yates: Rating 8.63
• #6: Rating 8.0
• N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9

Ferencváros Notable Players

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