🔗 Share this article Igor Jesus Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros The Brazilian forward has now scored 11 goals in every tournament for Nottingham Forest this campaign. Match Summary The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs. Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a opening period lead. The striker's European strike puts the team in control. Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the second half. The midfielder rounds off a excellent display with a spot-kick. The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground. The hosts had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they required several results to fall in their favor. That did not happen but this confident display will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen. Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on. They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season. Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper. The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye. Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club. "It's more than 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." Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League. His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on. Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box. This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement. Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well. Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope 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 Dyche. "I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability. "James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators." Star Performer #19 The Striker Average rating: 9.1 Nottingham Forest Top Players Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10 #24: Rating 8.75 R. Yates: Rating 8.6 #6: Average Rating 8.0 #31: Average Rating 7.9 The Visitors Notable Players B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1 #66: Rating 4.12 K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1 After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating shown represents the average from all the submissions.