🔗 Share this article Forest's Striker Fires Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Group Stage with Win over Hungarian Opponents Igor Jesus has now scored 11 goals in all competitions for the club this campaign. Match Summary Forest were already through to the play-offs. A Ferencvaros defender own goal gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead. Igor Jesus' European strike puts the team in command. Forward nets again with a clinical effort in the second half. The midfielder caps a great performance with a spot-kick. Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground. Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor. That did not happen but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16. Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on. Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign. The forward's eleventh goal came 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 ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye. The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club. "It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche. "That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step." Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this term with six of his eleven strikes scored in the tournament. This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be spurring him on. Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the stands. That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs. The forward was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed. These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend. "The minimum requirement is a reaction," added the manager. "I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality. "McAtee was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs." Star Performer #19 Igor Jesus Match rating: 9.1 Forest Key Performers #19: Rating 9.1 #24: Rating 8.75 R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6 #6: Rating 8.01 N. Milenković: Rating 7.9 The Visitors Notable Players B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1 Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1 #16: Rating 4.09 After the opportunity to rate players has ended, the rating displayed is the average from all the submissions.