Nottingham Forest booked their place in the UEFA Europa League play-offs in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Ferencváros in their final league-phase clash at the City Ground on Thursday night.
The visitors showed early intent and went close to opening the scoring when Kristoffer Zachariassen met a teasing cross with a header that crashed against the woodwork.
Forest responded through Dan Ndoye, who danced past two markers with superb footwork before testing David Gróf, though the goalkeeper gathered comfortably.
The breakthrough arrived in the 17th minute as Ryan Yates delivered a dangerous low ball into the box, forcing Bence Ótvös into an unfortunate own goal.
Yates was involved again moments later, winning possession and releasing Igor Jesus. The Brazilian surged forward and curled a precise finish into the bottom corner to double Forest’s advantage.
That strike marked Jesus’ fifth goal of the competition, making him only the second Forest player to reach that number in a major European campaign.
Ferencváros captain Ibrahim Cissé prevented further damage before the break, clearing Nicolás Domínguez’s goal-bound header off the line. Zachariassen then came close again just before half-time, but Matz Sels reacted sharply to tip his header wide.
Forest maintained their momentum after the restart, with Yates seeing a shot saved and Jesus narrowly missing the target with a glancing header.
The third goal arrived in the 55th minute when Jesus completed his brace, rifling home from close range after a clever assist from Ibrahim Sangaré.
Ferencváros struck the woodwork for a second time through Bamidele Yusuf, while at the other end Gróf denied James McAtee from a free-kick.
McAtee eventually got his goal late on, calmly converting from the penalty spot two minutes from time to seal a comprehensive 4-0 win.
