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Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.

Forest had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they required other matches to fall in their favor.

That did not happen but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.

A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from that point forward.

They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.

The forward's 11th arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.

That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.

Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce 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 good one."

Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands

Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this term with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.

His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.

Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.

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

Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.

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

"The minimum requirement is a reaction," added Dyche.

"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.

"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."

Player of the Match

Forest Top Players

• #19: Rating 9.1
• J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
• #22: Average Rating 8.63
• I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
• N. Milenković: Rating 7.94

Ferencváros Notable Players

• B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
• Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
• #16: Rating 4.1