🔗 Share this article Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros Igor Jesus has now notched eleven strikes in every tournament for the club this campaign. Match Summary Forest were already through to the play-offs. Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead. The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command. Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the second half. The midfielder caps a excellent performance with a penalty. The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground. Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to fall in their favor. That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16. Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on. Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back 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 break clear of the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper. That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye. Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club. "It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," 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 Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League. His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation. Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box. This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and movement. The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed. These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday. "All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche. "I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just go and show your ability. "McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs." Player of the Match Number: 19 The Striker Match rating: 9.10 Nottingham Forest Key Performers Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10 J. McAtee: Rating 8.8 #22: Rating 8.6 #6: Rating 8.0 N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9 Ferencváros Notable Players #11: Rating 4.14 #66: Rating 4.12 #16: Average Rating 4.09 Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown is the mean from all the submissions.