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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted through the stadium as Nottingham Forest followers celebrated a further win against Malmö. Much has transpired since Francis's winning header secured the European Cup in 1979, but Forest still hold dear those glorious moments. Similarly, significant changes have occurred in the five weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest looking refreshed and earning a convincing victory courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their hopes of advancing in the Europa League.

Gaining Steam with Another Straight Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after ending sixth in their domestic league – marked a third straight triumph across all competitions and further built on the momentum generated from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this match was a re-run of the club's European Cup success in name, the encounter itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or jitters.

It proved to be an event filled with sentiment, an longed-for reunion and the third meeting between the sides since the showpiece event over four decades past.

Forest fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the legends of that era by giving them, along with their Malmö opponents, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Malmö's team from that time were additionally present. The two clubs shared a dinner together before the kick-off. Forest legends and company received a rousing reception when they gathered on the pitch 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically impressive tifo was unveiled in the Trent End.

Recalling History

“30th May 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” displayed one part of a large tifo, in block capitals. While nobody required a reminder of what ensued, the rest was unfurled as the squads emerged from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it stated. A second brilliant display depicted Brian Clough observing events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Outset

So, the hosts had drunk in those beautiful recollections, but what about the showing on the night? It was strong, too. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an effort off target inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who came to the club aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defense led by their own academy product skipper, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford. The home centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the path of the midfielder, who finished with his right foot from just inside the box to register his maiden strike since last March.

Another Goal Seals Dominance

The scorer was involved in the team's next goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his free header saved by Malmö’s goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the rebound from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder handed a rare start and just his second appearance since September, was the catalyst, lofting a delicious ball towards Yates at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was turned aside off Malmö back Rösler, son of former Manchester City striker Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked Milenkovic had earlier had a strong header smartly saved by Ellborg, who returned in place of the former Aston Villa goalie Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan concluded on November 9th, and they found it hard to match Forest’s energy. Forest made it 3-0 when the defender applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a set-piece. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with the winger chipping a effort on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an optimistic shot wide from distance. It was that kind of nights. Dyche, aware of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton, made seven changes from the side that stunned the Reds at Anfield recently, when they also scored three goals, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus midway through the final period.

Smooth Night for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless evening for Forest. The coach could take off the defender with the match long since boxed off and later introduced 19-year-old defender Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche discussed the club legends supplying “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad demonstrated they are able of a few nuggets of thrills, as well.