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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out through the stadium as Nottingham Forest fans reveled in a further success against Malmö. Much has occurred since Francis's decisive header secured the European Cup back in the year 1979, but the club still treasure those glorious moments. Similarly, significant changes have occurred in the five weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with Forest appearing reinvigorated and securing a comfortable victory courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of advancing in the Europa League.

Gaining Momentum with Third Straight Win

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing in sixth place in their home competition – represented a third consecutive win across every tournament and further built on the momentum gained from last weekend’s stunning victory at Liverpool. While this fixture was a reminder of the club's European Cup success in name, the game itself was devoid of any real tension or nerves.

This was an event dripping in nostalgia, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third clash between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side fully embraced the history, honoring the heroes of 1979 by giving them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were additionally in attendance. Both teams shared a meal together prior to the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a tumultuous welcome when they assembled on the field a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically impressive display was shown in the Trent End.

Remembering History

“May 30, 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” displayed half of a large tifo, in block capitals. While no one needed reminding of what happened next, the rest was unfurled as the players came out from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant tifo showed Clough watching proceedings beside his assistant Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Start

So, the hosts had soaked up those beautiful recollections, but what about the showing on the night? It was pretty good, too. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an attempt wide inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 advantage by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who joined the club aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defence led by their own homegrown captain, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery deflect off a defender and into the path of Yates, who finished right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to score his first goal since last March.

Another Strike Confirms Control

The scorer was implicated in the team's next goal on the brink of half-time, too, his unmarked header parried by Malmö’s goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward poised to tap in the rebound from close range. McAtee, the midfielder handed a seldom start and only his second appearance since the autumn, was the catalyst, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the far post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was turned wide off the defender Colin Rösler, the son of former Manchester City striker Uwe Rösler, and an free the defender also previously had a powerful header smartly saved by Ellborg, who was back in place of the former Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to match Forest’s energy. The Reds made it 3-0 when the defender applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a set-piece. The captain had a volley blocked, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

The home side then went for the jugular, with the winger chipping a effort on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious effort off target from distance. It was one of those evenings. Dyche, aware of the upcoming league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made seven changes from the team that surprised Liverpool at Anfield recently, when they also netted three times, though he called on substitutes and further fresh legs during the second half.

Smooth Night for the Team

It turned out to be a hiccup-free night for Nottingham Forest. The coach could withdraw the defender with the match long since sewn up and later brought on 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his first-team debut. He talked about the club legends providing “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the current crop demonstrated they are capable of producing of thrills, as well.