Igor Jesus Scores Twice as Nottingham Forest Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros

The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.

Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.

That did not happen but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.

Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright 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 dominantly the home side from that point forward.

Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by the defender and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.

Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.

That goal killed off Ferencvaros' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.

The Europa League qualifying round lottery is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.

"It is not just the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.

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

Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands

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

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

Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this match from the directors' box.

This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.

The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.

These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.

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

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

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

Player of the Match

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• #19: Average Rating 9.10
• #24: Rating 8.75
• #22: Rating 8.6
• I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
• N. Milenković: Rating 7.9

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