Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents

The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.

Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.

That did not happen but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.

A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.

Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.

Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.

That goal killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.

The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham 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 well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.

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

Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands

Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.

This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.

Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.

This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.

Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing 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 pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.

"All you can ask for is a response," continued Dyche.

"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.

"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."

Player of the Match

Forest Key Performers

• Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
• J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
• R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
• I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
• #31: Average Rating 7.94

The Visitors Ratings

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