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The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.

The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they required other matches to go their way.

Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the round of sixteen.

A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the visitors – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.

They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.

Jesus' 11th arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.

The third strike ended the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.

The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against 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 manager Sean Dyche.

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

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

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 attack could be providing motivation.

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

That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.

Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.

Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host their London rivals on Sunday.

"All you can ask for is a reaction," added 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. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."

Player of the Match

Nottingham Forest Top Players

• #19: Average Rating 9.1
• J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.8
• #22: Rating 8.63
• #6: Average Rating 8.01
• #31: Rating 7.94

The Visitors Ratings

• B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
• Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
• #16: Average Rating 4.1