Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as The Reds Conclude Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros

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

Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.

That did not happen but this confident performance will give the supporters belief that their side can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16.

A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – 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 Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the campaign.

The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort past the shot-stopper.

The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.

Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place 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 atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.

"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."

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Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals scored 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 position in the forward line could be spurring him on.

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

This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, delivering two superb goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.

The forward was not the only one in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.

Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.

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

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

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

Player of the Match

Nottingham Forest Key Performers

• Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
• J. McAtee: Rating 8.75
• R. Yates: Rating 8.6
• #6: Average Rating 8.01
• #31: Rating 7.94

Ferencváros Notable Players

• B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
• Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.12
• #16: Rating 4.09