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The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the Europa League with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.

The hosts had already secured a place in the next qualifying round and entered this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, even though they needed several results to fall in their favor.

That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.

Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.

They opened the scoring in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and added a second shortly after – the striker firing an effort in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.

Jesus' eleventh goal came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.

The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.

The Europa League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.

"It's more than the result, there was that feel about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.

"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."

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Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.

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

Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this game from the directors' box.

This development may well have been on the striker's thoughts as he was impressive against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his speed and movement.

The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.

These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they host Crystal Palace on the weekend.

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

"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.

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

Star Performer

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: Average Rating 7.9

Ferencváros Ratings

• B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
• #66: Rating 4.12
• K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1