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The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.

The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, even though they required several results to fall in their favor.

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

A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.

Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the campaign.

Jesus' eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.

That goal ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.

The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.

"It's more than the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.

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

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Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in Europe this season with half of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.

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

Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box.

That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.

Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing 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 turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.

"The minimum requirement is a response," added Dyche.

"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or integrity. It is just about displaying your ability.

"McAtee was excellent and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Igor got another two and these are good signs."

Player of the Match

Nottingham Forest Top Players

• Igor Jesus: Rating 9.10
• #24: Rating 8.8
• R. Yates: Rating 8.6
• #6: Average Rating 8.0
• #31: Average Rating 7.94

The Visitors Notable Players

• B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
• #66: Average Rating 4.1
• K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09