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The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as the Premier League side concluded the league phase of the European competition with a convincing win against Ferencvaros at the City Ground.

The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of reaching the top eight, although they required several results to fall in their favor.

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

A Ferencvaros midfielder struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the away team – coached by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.

They opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.

Jesus' 11th arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then drive an effort beyond the goalkeeper.

The third strike ended the visitors' aspirations of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the excellent McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.

Europe's secondary club competition qualifying round draw is scheduled on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.

"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.

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

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Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this term with half of his eleven strikes scored in the Europa League.

This double also means he has scored three goals in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.

Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the stands.

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

The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from the champions in the previous transfer window, while the Swiss international also performed well.

These encouraging performances will give Forest some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on the weekend.

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

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

"James was very good and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."

Player of the Match

Forest Key Performers

• Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
• J. McAtee: Rating 8.8
• #22: Rating 8.63
• I. Sangaré: Rating 8.01
• #31: Rating 7.9

The Visitors Ratings

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