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Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.

Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.

Those results failed to materialize but this confident performance will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.

A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.

They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.

The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.

The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty 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 takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.

"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players 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."

Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On

Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.

This double also means he has scored 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.

Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.

This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.

The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.

Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.

"The minimum requirement is a response," added the manager.

"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.

"McAtee was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."

Player of the Match

Nottingham Forest Top Players

• Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
• #24: Rating 8.75
• #22: Rating 8.63
• I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
• N. Milenković: Rating 7.94

Ferencváros Notable Players

• B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
• Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
• K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09