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

Igor Jesus scored twice 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 next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.

That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.

Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.

They opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.

The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.

That goal ended the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.

The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.

"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.

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

Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival 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 scored three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.

Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.

This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.

Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.

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 their London rivals on Sunday.

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

"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.

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

Star Performer

Nottingham Forest Key Performers

• Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
• #24: Rating 8.8
• R. Yates: Rating 8.63
• I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
• #31: Average Rating 7.94

Ferencváros Ratings

• #11: Average Rating 4.14
• #66: Average Rating 4.1
• K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1