🔗 Share this article

The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.

Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, 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 come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.

A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.

Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.

The forward's 11th came 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 Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery 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 the winger.

The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.

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

"That was another step, but it is a positive one."

Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On

Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament.

His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games 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 match from the directors' box.

This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.

Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.

Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.

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

"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.

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

Player of the Match

Forest Top Players

• Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
• J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
• #22: Average Rating 8.63
• I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
• #31: Rating 7.9

Ferencváros Ratings

• #11: Average Rating 4.1
• Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12
• K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.1