Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Round Off European Campaign with Victory over Hungarian Opponents

Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.

Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to go their way.

Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to reach 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 broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.

The forward's 11th came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.

That goal killed off 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 the winger.

Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.

"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.

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

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

This double also means he has got three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his place in the forward line could be providing motivation.

Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box.

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

Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.

These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.

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

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

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

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