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The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.

Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, although they required several results to fall in their favor.

Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.

A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header 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 then on.

They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second four minutes later – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.

Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort beyond the shot-stopper.

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

Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where 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 whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.

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

Forest Analysis: 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 11 goals scored in the tournament.

This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.

Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.

This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.

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

Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals 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.

"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are positive indicators."

Player of the Match

Nottingham Forest Key Performers

• Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
• #24: Rating 8.75
• R. Yates: Rating 8.63
• I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
• N. Milenković: Rating 7.94

The Visitors Notable Players

• #11: Average Rating 4.1
• Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
• K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09