Igor Jesus was the star for Forest.
Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest cruised to a 4-0 Europa League win over Ferencvaros, though the victory was not enough to seal a place in the top eight of the table.
Forest went into Thursday’s encounter with an outside chance of a top-eight finish and automatic progression to the last 16, but they will instead have to contest a playoff-round tie despite continuing their recent upturn in form.
An own goal from Bence Otvos in the 17th minute put Forest ahead, their lead extended four minutes later by a fine individual goal from Jesus.
Jesus put the game beyond doubt with a superb finish 10 minutes into the second half, with gloss added to the scoreline late on through James McAtee’s penalty, which marked his first goal for the club.
Forest finish 13th in the table. They will be seeded in Friday’s playoff draw, meaning they will play the second leg at home. However, Forest will face a tricky tie against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
Nottingham Forest ease past Ferencvaros
Forest received an early warning from the visitors when Kristoffer Zachariassen headed against the post, though Dan Ndoye drew a strong save from David Grof after a darting run into the box.
Ferencvaros had made a strong start to proceedings, but things quickly fell apart for the Hungarian champions after Otvos inadvertently turned Ryan Yates’ low right-wing cross into his own net.
Robbie Keane’s men struggled to regain their composure after going behind, and they were given a mountain to climb when Jesus pounced on a Ferencvaros error inside their own half, embarking on a surging run before finding the bottom-left corner with a deflected strike from just inside the area.
Zachariassen delivered a reminder of the threat Ferencvaros posed with another header that forced Matz Sels to tip over the crossbar shortly before half-time, but Forest continued in the asendancy after the break.
Grof prevented Yates from scoring with Forest’s first attack of the second half, and Jesus then spurned a chance to double his tally with a header that flew narrowly off target.
Nicolas Dominguez headed against the base of the post from a James McAtee cross, with the onslaught paying dividends as the third goal arrived in fine style.
Jesus stayed onside as he raced onto Ibrahim Sangare’s ball over the top, meeting with a rasping half-volley that left Grof with no chance.
Bamidele Yusuf headed against the crossbar as Ferencvaros sought the goal their attacking play arguably deserved, but Forest continued to dominate and McAtee kept Grof busy with a low free-kick that went close to creeping into the bottom-right corner.
Grof then thwarted Morgan Gibbs-White, but he could do nothing to prevent McAtee from scoring from 12 yards after Otvos hauled down Ndoye.
With three clean sheets, six goals and just one defeat in their last four games, Forest can afford to be in confident mood ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match with a Crystal Palace side that could yet be sucked into the relegation scrap.
