🔗 Share this article

Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.

The hosts had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.

Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.

Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.

They broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.

Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.

The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.

Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.

"It's more than the scoreline, 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 positive step."

Forest Analysis: 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 coming in the Europa League.

His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.

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

That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.

The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.

These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.

"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager.

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

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

Star Performer

Nottingham Forest Top Players

• Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
• J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
• #22: Rating 8.6
• #6: Average Rating 8.01
• N. Milenković: Rating 7.9

The Visitors Notable Players

• B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
• Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
• K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09