Nottingham Forest secured a play-off spot with a dominant 4-0 victory over Ferencvaros in their final Europa League group stage fixture at the City Ground on Thursday.
Ferencvaros started the game brightly and nearly went ahead when Kristoffer Zachariassen’s header from a cross struck the woodwork.
Dan Ndoye registered Forest’s first attempt, leaving two defenders for dead with impressive footwork, but David Grof made a comfortable save.
Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute, when Ryan Yates whipped a low cross into the area. Bence Otvos guide it into his own net.
Yates had a hand again in Forest’s second goal, winning the ball to set up Igor Jesus. He drove into the box and picked out the bottom corner.
It was the Brazilian’s fifth goal in the competition, making him the second Forest player to reach that tally in a major European campaign.
Ferencvaros skipper Ibrahim Cisse denied the hosts a third after the half-hour mark, heading Nicolas Dominguez’s effort off the line.
Zachariassen almost pulled one back just before half-time, but Matz Sels was on alert to tip his header behind for a corner.
Yates had his effort saved and Jesus glanced an header wide, as Forest started the second half on the front foot.
Jesus made it 3-0 in the 55th minute, thumping the ball home from Ibrahim Sangare’s clever pass.
Ferencvaros hit the woodwork again from Bamidele Yusuf’s header, before Grof kept out James McAtee’s free-kick at the other end.
McAtee put the icing on the cake last in the game, scoring from the penalty spot to crown a superb performance.
