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Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off 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 next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.

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

Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the post with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – 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 early stages 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 early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.

That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive James McAtee converted a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.

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

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

"This is another stride forward, but it is a positive one."

Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Watches On

Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.

This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of a challenge 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 Jesus' mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his speed and runs.

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

These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.

"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.

"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your ability.

"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."

Star Performer

Nottingham Forest Key Performers

• Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
• J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
• #22: Rating 8.6
• I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
• #31: Rating 7.9

The Visitors Ratings

• B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
• #66: Average Rating 4.1
• K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1