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Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.

Forest had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.

Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters belief that their team can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.

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

Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield 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 10th goal of the season.

The forward's 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.

The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts added a fourth when the impressive McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.

Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where 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 manager Sean Dyche.

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

Forest Analysis: Jesus Catches Eye as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands

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

This double also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his place in attack could be providing motivation.

Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was observing this game from the directors' box.

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

The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from the champions last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.

These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on Sunday.

"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.

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

"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are good signs."

Player of the Match

Forest Key Performers

• Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
• J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
• #22: Average Rating 8.6
• I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
• #31: Rating 7.9

The Visitors Notable Players

• #11: Rating 4.14
• Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
• K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09