🔗 Share this article Forest's Striker Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents Igor Jesus has now scored eleven strikes in every tournament for the club this season. At a Glance The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs. A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives hosts a opening period lead. Igor Jesus' fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control. Forward adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period. James McAtee caps a excellent performance with a penalty. The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions 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 knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, although they needed 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 advance to the last 16. A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward. Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season. The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper. The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger. The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club. "It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche. "This is another step, but it is a good one." Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes coming 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 signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box. That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement. The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed. Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday. "All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche. "I've never questioned their commitment or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability. "McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators." Player of the Match Number: 19 The Striker Match rating: 9.10 Nottingham Forest Top Players #19: Rating 9.1 J. McAtee: Rating 8.75 R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6 I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0 N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94 Ferencváros Notable Players #11: Average Rating 4.1 #66: Average Rating 4.12 K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09 After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the rating shown is the average from all the votes.