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Igor Jesus scored twice as the Premier League side rounded off the league phase of the Europa League with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.

The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the knockout round play-offs and entered this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, even though they required other matches to fall in their favor.

That did not happen but this confident performance will give Forest fans confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to advance to the round of sixteen.

Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – coached by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.

They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.

Jesus' eleventh goal arrived early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.

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

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

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

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

Team Breakdown: Jesus Catches Eye as New Signing Observes from Stands

Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in Europe this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the tournament.

This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.

Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the stands.

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

Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.

Such positive showings will give Forest some renewed optimism as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.

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

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

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

Star Performer

Forest Top Players

• Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
• J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
• R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
• I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
• N. Milenković: Rating 7.9

The Visitors Notable Players

• B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
• Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
• K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09