🔗 Share this article Igor Jesus Scores Twice as The Reds Conclude European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents The Brazilian forward has now scored eleven strikes in every tournament for the club this season. At a Glance Forest were already through to the play-offs. A Ferencvaros defender deflection gives hosts a opening period lead. The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in command. Striker adds a third with a sharp finish in the latter period. The midfielder rounds off a excellent performance with a spot-kick. The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground. The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of reaching the league's elite, although they required several results to fall in their favor. Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen. A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort 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. They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season. The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper. That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye. Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club. "It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche. "That was another stride forward, but it is a good step." Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League. His brace also means he has scored three goals 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 signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands. This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement. The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed. These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend. "The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche. "I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability. "McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are good signs." Player of the Match #19 The Striker Average rating: 9.10 Forest Key Performers Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10 J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75 #22: Average Rating 8.63 I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01 #31: Average Rating 7.9 The Visitors Ratings B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14 Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1 #16: Average Rating 4.1 Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions.