🔗 Share this article Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros Igor Jesus has now scored eleven strikes in every tournament for the club this season. At a Glance The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round. Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead. Igor Jesus' European strike puts Forest in control. Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half. The midfielder rounds off a great performance with a spot-kick. Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium. Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, although they needed several results to go their way. That did not happen but this confident 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 away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on. Forest broke the deadlock 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 campaign. Jesus' 11th came 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. That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger. Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos. "It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche. "This is another stride forward, but it is a good step." Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League. His brace also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on. Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box. That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs. Jesus was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well. Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday. "All you can ask for is a response," continued the manager. "I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality. "James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators." Star Performer Number: 19 The Striker Average rating: 9.1 Nottingham Forest Key Performers #19: Average Rating 9.10 #24: Rating 8.75 #22: Average Rating 8.63 #6: Rating 8.0 N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9 Ferencváros Ratings #11: Rating 4.14 Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12 #16: Rating 4.1 Once the chance to rate players has ended, the rating shown represents the average from all the votes.