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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 convincing triumph against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.

The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the top eight, even though they needed several results to go their way.

Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give Forest fans confidence that their team can come through the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.

Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.

Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort 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 made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.

The third strike killed off the visitors' 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 Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.

Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.

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

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

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

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

This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.

Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.

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

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

These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.

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

"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or honesty. It is just about displaying your quality.

"James was excellent and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."

Player of the Match

Nottingham Forest Key Performers

• Igor Jesus: Rating 9.1
• #24: Average Rating 8.8
• #22: Rating 8.63
• I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
• N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94

Ferencváros Notable Players

• B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
• #66: Rating 4.12
• K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09