🔗 Share this article Igor Jesus Fires Twice as The Reds Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros Igor Jesus has now scored 11 goals in all competitions for the club this season. At a Glance The home side were already through to the knockout round. Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a opening period lead. Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command. Striker nets again with a sharp finish in the second half. James McAtee rounds off a great display with a spot-kick. Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium. The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, although they required several results to fall in their favor. That did not happen but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen. Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on. They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign. Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then place a shot past the shot-stopper. That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger. The Europa League qualifying round draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos. "It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche. "That was another stride forward, but it is a positive one." Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League. His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on. Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box. That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement. The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed. These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday. "The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager. "I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your quality. "James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs." Player of the Match Number: 19 The Striker Average rating: 9.1 Nottingham Forest Top Players #19: Rating 9.1 #24: Rating 8.8 #22: Rating 8.63 I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01 N. Milenković: Rating 7.9 Ferencváros Ratings B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14 #66: Rating 4.1 #16: Rating 4.09 Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating shown represents the mean from all the votes.