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Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.

The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.

That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence 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 away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.

Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.

The forward's eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.

The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.

Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.

"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 manager Sean Dyche.

"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."

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Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.

His brace also means he has got three goals in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his place in attack could be providing motivation.

Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the stands.

This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb finishes and generally being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.

Jesus was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.

These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.

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

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

"McAtee was very good and Dan was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are good signs."

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