Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off European Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros

The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.

Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they needed other matches to go their way.

That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.

A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.

They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.

The forward's 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 beyond the goalkeeper.

That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.

The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where 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 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 New Signing Observes from Stands

Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the Europa League.

This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.

Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the stands.

That may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.

The forward was not the only one in impressing, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.

Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.

"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.

"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.

"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."

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