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Igor Jesus found the net on two occasions 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 already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, even though they needed other matches to fall in their favor.

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

A Ferencvaros midfielder 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 all Forest from that point forward.

They 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 squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.

The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the shot-stopper.

That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead the hosts scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.

Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or the Greek club.

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

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

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

This double also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be providing motivation.

Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was observing this match from the directors' box.

This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.

Jesus was not alone in impressing, with McAtee turning in his finest display in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.

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

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

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

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

Player of the Match

Forest Key Performers

• #19: Average Rating 9.1
• J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
• #22: Average Rating 8.63
• I. Sangaré: Rating 8.0
• #31: Average Rating 7.94

Ferencváros Notable Players

• B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
• Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
• #16: Rating 4.09