Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros

The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.

The hosts had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.

Those results failed to materialize but this assured display 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 first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.

Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.

The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.

The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a infringement by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.

Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.

"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.

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

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Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.

His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.

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

That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.

Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.

These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.

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

"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.

"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."

Star Performer

Nottingham Forest Top Players

• Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
• J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
• R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
• #6: Rating 8.01
• N. Milenković: Rating 7.94

Ferencváros Notable Players

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