Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros

Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.

The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.

Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.

Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header 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.

Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.

The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.

That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.

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

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

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

Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On

Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.

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

Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the stands.

That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.

Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance 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," added the manager.

"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.

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

Star Performer

Forest Top Players

• #19: Rating 9.1
• #24: Rating 8.8
• R. Yates: Average Rating 8.63
• #6: Rating 8.0
• #31: Rating 7.9

The Visitors Notable Players

• B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
• Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
• K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09