🔗 Share this article

The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the Europa League with a convincing win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.

Forest had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.

Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.

Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header 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 broke the deadlock in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the season.

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.

The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive James McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.

The Europa League knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.

"It is not just the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.

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

Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as New Signing Watches On

Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with half of his 11 goals scored in the tournament.

His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.

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

This development may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two superb finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and movement.

The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.

These encouraging performances will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.

"The minimum requirement is a response," continued the manager.

"I have always trusted their commitment or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your quality.

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

Player of the Match

Forest Key Performers

• #19: Average Rating 9.10
• J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
• #22: Rating 8.6
• #6: Rating 8.01
• N. Milenković: Rating 7.9

The Visitors Notable Players

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