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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted through the stadium as Nottingham Forest supporters celebrated a further success against Malmö. A great deal has occurred since Francis's winning header secured the continental trophy back in the year 1979, but Forest still cherish those glorious moments. Equally, major shifts have taken place in the weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with Forest looking reinvigorated and securing a convincing victory thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Gaining Momentum with Another Straight Win

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing sixth in their domestic league – marked a third straight win across all competitions and added to the positive energy generated from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this fixture was a reminder of the club's historic success in spirit, the game itself was free of any significant jeopardy or nerves.

This was an occasion filled with sentiment, an longed-for reunion and the third competitive meeting between the sides since the showpiece event over four decades past.

Forest fully embraced the heritage, paying tribute to the heroes of that era by giving them, along with their visiting opponents, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Malmö's squad from that time were additionally present. The two clubs shared a dinner together prior to the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates received a rousing welcome when they assembled on the field a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically superb tifo was unveiled in the Trent End.

Recalling the Past

“May 30, 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” displayed half of a large banner, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the rest was unfurled as the squads came out from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it stated. Another brilliant display showed Brian Clough watching events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Outset

So, the hosts had soaked up those beautiful recollections, but what about the performance on the evening? It was pretty good, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an effort wide inside the opening moments and built a two-goal advantage by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined the club aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defense led by their own academy product skipper, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The home centre-back Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a defender and into the pathway of Yates, who finished right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to score his first goal since March.

Another Goal Seals Control

Yates was implicated in Forest’s next goal on the brink of the interval, as well, his unmarked header parried by Malmö’s shot-stopper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the rebound from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and only his second appearance since the autumn, was the catalyst, lofting a delicious ball towards his teammate at the far post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was turned aside off Malmö defender Colin Rösler, the son of ex- Man City forward Uwe Rösler, and an free Milenkovic had earlier had a strong header instinctively repelled by Ellborg, who was back in place of the ex- Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was Malmö’s initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to equal the home team's energy. Forest made it 3-0 when the defender applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a set-piece. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

Forest then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an optimistic shot wide from distance. It was one of those evenings. Dyche, aware of the upcoming league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented seven changes from the team that surprised Liverpool at their ground last weekend, when they additionally netted three goals, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs midway through the second half.

Smooth Night for the Team

It proved a flawless night for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could withdraw Murillo with the match long since boxed off and later introduced teenage full-back Sinclair for his first-team debut. He discussed the Forest old guard providing “bits of gold” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the present squad demonstrated they are able of producing of thrills, as well.