Igor Jesus double sees Nottingham Forest beat Ferencvaros 4-0, seal play-off spot | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest secured a play-off spot with a dominant 4-0 victory over Ferencvaros in their final UEFA Europa League league-phase fixture at the City Ground on Thursday evening.

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 he could only force David Grof to make a comfortable save.

Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute, when Ryan Yates whipped a low cross into the area, only for Bence Otvos to guide it into his own net.

Yates had a hand again in Forest’s second goal, winning the ball to set up Igor Jesus, who drove to the edge of the box, before picking 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 the midfielder’s header behind for a corner.

Yates saw 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.

Two minutes from time, McAtee put the icing on the cake, scoring from the penalty spot to make it 4-0.