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The Brazilian attacker scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable win against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.

Forest had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of making the league's elite, although they required several results to fall in their favor.

Those results failed to materialize but this confident display will give the supporters confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.

A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.

Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.

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

The third strike killed off the visitors' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent James McAtee converted a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.

Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham 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 whole squad," said manager Sean Dyche.

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

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Jesus has been a revelation for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.

This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes 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 match from the stands.

This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his pace and runs.

Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also impressed.

These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the Premier League relegation zone when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.

"All you can ask for is a reaction," continued Dyche.

"I have always trusted their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.

"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."

Player of the Match

Forest Key Performers

• Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
• #24: Average Rating 8.8
• #22: Average Rating 8.6
• #6: Average Rating 8.01
• N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.94

Ferencváros Notable Players

• B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.14
• #66: Rating 4.1
• K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09