At a Glance
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the league phase of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a place in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they needed other matches to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.
Kristoffer Zachariassen 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 then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was turned into his own net by the defender and doubled the lead shortly after – the striker squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's 11th came soon after the restart when he made a perfectly-timed run to escape the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.
That goal ended Ferencvaros' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive 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 takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest could be drawn against either the Turkish side or Panathinaikos.
"It is not just the scoreline, there was that feel about it. I want these guys to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.
His brace also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the prospect of competition for his position in attack could be spurring him on.
Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca was recently signed on loan and he was watching this game from the directors' box.
That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and movement.
Jesus was not the only one in catching the eye, with McAtee turning in his best performance in a Forest jersey since joining from Manchester City in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.
Such positive showings will give the club some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added the manager.
"I've never questioned their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just go and show your ability.
"McAtee was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another two and these are positive indicators."
Number: 19 Igor Jesus
Match rating: 9.1
Once the chance to rate players has ended, the score displayed is the mean from all the votes.
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