Forest's Striker Scores Twice as The Reds Round Off Europa League Group Stage with Win over Ferencvaros

The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.

Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they required several results to go their way.

That did not happen but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.

A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.

They broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.

The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.

The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.

Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side 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 whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.

"This is another step, but it is a good step."

Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On

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

This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.

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

This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.

Jesus was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions last summer, 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 bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.

"The minimum requirement is a reaction," continued the manager.

"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.

"James was excellent and Dan was super sharp. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."

Player of the Match

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• Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
• #24: Rating 8.8
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• #31: Rating 7.94

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