Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Win over Ferencvaros

Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.

The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.

Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.

A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.

They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.

The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.

The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from 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 the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.

"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.

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

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Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.

His brace also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.

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

That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.

The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.

These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.

"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.

"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.

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

Star Performer

Forest Top Players

• Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
• #24: Average Rating 8.75
• #22: Average Rating 8.63
• I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
• N. Milenković: Rating 7.94

The Visitors Notable Players

• #11: Average Rating 4.1
• Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
• #16: Average Rating 4.1