Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros

The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.

Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they required several results to fall in their favor.

Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.

A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.

Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.

Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.

That goal killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.

Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place 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 atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.

"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."

Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On

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

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

Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands.

This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.

Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.

Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.

"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.

"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.

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

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Nottingham Forest Top Players

• Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
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• #6: Average Rating 8.0
• #31: Average Rating 7.94

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