🔗 Share this article Forest's Striker Fires a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Victory over Hungarian Opponents The Brazilian forward has now scored eleven strikes in all competitions for Nottingham Forest this campaign. At a Glance The home side were previously qualified to the knockout round. Bence Otvos deflection gives hosts a first-half 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 caps a excellent performance with a penalty. Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium. The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they required several results to fall in their favor. That did not happen but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen. Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward. They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign. The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper. That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye. Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or the Greek club. "It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche. "This is another stride forward, but it is a positive one." Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes coming in the tournament. His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on. Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands. This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and movement. The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well. These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday. "All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche. "I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability. "James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs." Star Performer #19 The Striker Match rating: 9.1 Nottingham Forest Key Performers #19: Average Rating 9.1 #24: Rating 8.8 R. Yates: Rating 8.63 I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01 #31: Average Rating 7.9 Ferencváros Ratings B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1 #66: Average Rating 4.1 K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09 Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the rating displayed represents the average from all the votes.