Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents

Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.

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, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.

Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16.

Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.

They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.

Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.

The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.

Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.

"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.

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

Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Watches On

Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.

This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.

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

That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.

The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, 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 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 the weekend.

"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.

"I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.

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

Player of the Match

Nottingham Forest Key Performers

• #19: Average Rating 9.1
• #24: Average Rating 8.75
• R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
• #6: Rating 8.0
• N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94

Ferencváros Notable Players

• B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
• #66: Rating 4.1
• K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1