🔗 Share this article Igor Jesus Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Ferencvaros Igor Jesus has now scored 11 goals in every tournament for the club this campaign. Match Summary The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs. Bence Otvos own goal gives hosts a first-half lead. Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command. Striker nets again with a clinical effort in the second half. James McAtee rounds off a excellent display with a penalty. Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground. Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to go their way. That did not happen but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the last 16. Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on. They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign. The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper. The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye. The Europa League qualifying round lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos. "It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche. "This is another stride forward, but it is a positive one." Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League. His brace also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation. Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box. That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and movement. The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed. Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday. "All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche. "I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality. "James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs." Star Performer #19 Igor Jesus Average rating: 9.1 Nottingham Forest Top Players Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1 J. McAtee: Rating 8.75 R. Yates: Rating 8.63 I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01 #31: Average Rating 7.9 The Visitors Notable Players #11: Average Rating 4.14 Júlio Romão: Rating 4.12 #16: Rating 4.1 After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating displayed is the average from all the votes.