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Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.

The hosts had already secured a berth in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of reaching the top eight, although they needed several results to go their way.

Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.

Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.

Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.

The forward's eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the defence and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.

That goal killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest scored again when the excellent James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.

The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.

"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.

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

Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands

Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.

This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the threat of competition for his place in the forward line could be spurring him on.

Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this match from the stands.

That may well have been on the striker's mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and overall being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.

Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.

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

"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.

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

"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another two and these are positive indicators."

Star Performer

Nottingham Forest Top Players

• Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
• #24: Average Rating 8.8
• R. Yates: Rating 8.6
• I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
• N. Milenković: Rating 7.94

Ferencváros Ratings

• B. Yusuf: Rating 4.14
• #66: Average Rating 4.1
• K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1