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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted around the stadium as Nottingham Forest supporters celebrated another success against Malmö. Much has transpired since Trevor Francis’s decisive header secured the European Cup back in 1979, but the club still treasure those memories. Equally, major changes have taken place in the five weeks since the manager assumed control, with the team appearing reinvigorated and earning a convincing win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of advancing in the European competition.

Gaining Steam with Third Consecutive Win

For Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after finishing in sixth place in their home competition – represented a third consecutive win across every tournament and added to the positive energy generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Anfield. While this fixture was a re-run of the club's European Cup triumph in name, the encounter itself was free of any real jeopardy or nerves.

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

The home side leaned into the heritage, honoring the legends of 1979 by giving them, along with their visiting counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from that time were also present. The two clubs enjoyed a meal together before the kick-off. Forest legends and company were given a rousing welcome when they assembled on the pitch 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically impressive tifo was unveiled in the home stand.

Remembering History

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left,” read one part of a large tifo, in capital letters. While nobody required a reminder of what ensued, the remaining section was unfurled as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant display showed Clough watching events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Outset

So, Forest had soaked up those beautiful memories, but what about the performance on the night? It was pretty good, too. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an attempt wide inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who came to the club as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defense led by their own homegrown skipper, Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford. The Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a defender and into the path of the midfielder, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to register his maiden strike since March.

Second Goal Confirms Dominance

Yates was involved in the team's second goal on the brink of half-time, as well, his free header parried by the shot-stopper Ellborg but the alert forward poised to tap in the loose ball from close range. McAtee, the playmaker given a rare start and only his second appearance since the autumn, was the spark, chipping a perfect ball towards Yates at the far post.

A minute earlier, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was turned wide off Malmö back Colin Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City striker Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked the defender had previously had a strong header smartly repelled by the keeper, who was back 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 9 November, and they found it hard to match 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. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

Forest then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a effort on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort off target from 30 yards. It was that kind of nights. Dyche, mindful of the upcoming league game here against Brighton, implemented multiple alterations from the side that surprised Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, when they additionally netted three times, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free evening for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could take off Murillo with the match long since sewn up and subsequently introduced 19-year-old defender Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the club legends providing “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop demonstrated they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, as well.