Igor Jesus scored twice as Nottingham Forest defeated Ferencvaros 4-0 at the City Ground in their final Europa League game of the league phase.
The convincing win was not enough to secure a place in the top eight because of results elsewhere so Forest will feature in the play-off round next month. But it was a confidence-boosting victory for Sean Dyche's side as they built on their improved form.
Forest did have an early scare courtesy of their Hungarian opposition when Kristoffer Zachariassen's header struck the frame of the goal but Robbie Keane's side capitulated thereafter, overwhelmed as the Premier League side launched attack after attack.
Dan Ndoye went close before Ryan Yates' low cross was turned beyond his own goalkeeper under little pressure by Bence Otvos. James McAtee should have doubled the lead before Jesus did just that moments later, his deflected effort finding the corner.
Both first-half goals came from captain Yates forcing a turnover in possession inside the opposition half, the visitors unable to cope with the intensity, leaving Forest fans wondering how they contrived to finish below Ferencvaros in the Europa League table.
Nicolas Dominguez's flicked header struck the foot of the post early in the second half before Jesus hammered home his second of the night. McAtee capped an impressive evening for Forest by converting from the spot late on to score his first goal for the club.
Dyche, who left a number of key players on the bench, will now see his side face either Panathinaikos or Fenerbahce in the play-off round. But Forest's immediate thoughts now turn to a Premier League showdown with fellow strugglers Crystal Palace on Sunday.
He might not quite be able to walk on the Trent as the supporters are so fond of singing but Jesus walked all over this Ferencvaros side in what was a surprisingly one-sided encounter. The mobile forward is finally getting the rewards for this overall play.
Jesus' opener in the victory against Brentford last time out in the Premier League was only his second goal in 22 appearances in the competition, but he has fared rather better in Europe. The Brazilian now has six goals in six games in the Europa League.
The home supporters at the City Ground, in particular, have been starved of celebrating their striker. Only one of his previous goals in all competitions had come on home soil and that was a penalty against Porto in October. Dyche will hope there is more to come.
Taiwo Awoniyi's return to the scoresheet against Brentford was welcome but without Chris Wood there are still doubts about Forest's firepower, hence signing Lorenzo Lucca and chasing Jean-Philippe Mateta. Jesus finding form would solve a few problems.
Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche speaking in the press conference:
"It's a tough competition, they were unbeaten in this. I'm pleased with the reaction after a quite below-par performance in Braga - a statistically anomaly how we lost that game, but we did. But really pleased with the reaction to that.
"There are a lot of good signs. Obviously not the Braga game, but generally there have been clear signs of the progress, I'm sure.
"Tonight was a reminder of the quality here, and that team-ship. That's important. You know, [McAtee] gets his goal, and the first one over to celebrate was Morgan [Gibbs-White] and that showed the team-ship, the connection.
"And I like that aspect to it, that feel of the group was very important."
Speaking more about McAtee, Dyche said: "The players are all really happy for him as well. He is frustrated, but he's very honest about it, and he's a very likeable fellow, the way he goes about his business. He trains really hard, we're just trying to open him up a bit.
"I don't like to make some hard decisions on him. I took him off at half-time [at Utrecht and Wrexham and] I told him I don't like doing that. I'm trying to win games. If they're not being effective, you know, there are rules.
"But he's been very, very good at accepting that. Not being silly. Not being immature about it. I'm absolutely delighted for him tonight."
Ferencvaros head coach Robbie Keane speaking in the press conference:
"The difference is £650 million on the field compared to us, that is the first thing.
"The second thing is the goals we conceded, three of them. One own goal, the second we are in control and give it away, and then the penalty. So disappointing in terms of that but overall, be realistic. We are playing against a Premier League team.
"You always hope and believe, as a manager you have to believe you can go and beat anyone but it was always going to be very difficult.
"For 15 minutes we were fine, the guys were relaxed in terms of play but as soon as they made one mistake, they went. You get punished by top teams, that is why they are quality players.
"That is the difference between the levels. The intensity, the speed of it, the quality of the players is on a different level. That is why it is the best league in the world.
"They felt they were playing against a Premier League team. They all watch the Premier League. The occasion got to them. You would not make those mistakes normally. The intensity of pressing, the intensity of getting after you. They punish you.
"What I will say, eight games, seven unbeaten, with the teams we have played, it is an incredible achievement by the guys. You just have to commend them for that because nobody gave us a chance with the teams that we played."
