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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted around the ground as Nottingham Forest followers reveled in another success against Malmö. A great deal has occurred since Trevor Francis’s winning header clinched the continental trophy back in the year 1979, but Forest continue to cherish those memories. Similarly, major changes have taken place in the five weeks since the manager assumed control, with Forest looking reinvigorated and securing a comfortable victory courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Gaining Momentum with Another Consecutive Win

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after finishing sixth in their domestic league – represented a third consecutive triumph across all competitions and added to the momentum generated from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this fixture was a reminder of the club's historic triumph in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any significant jeopardy or nerves.

This was an occasion dripping in sentiment, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third meeting between the teams since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

The home side fully embraced the heritage, honoring the heroes of that era by giving them, along with their visiting opponents, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from that time were also present. Both teams enjoyed a meal together before the match. Forest legends and company received a rousing reception when they assembled on the pitch 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically impressive tifo was shown in the Trent End.

Recalling History

“30th May 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” read half of a large banner, in block capitals. While nobody needed reminding of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the players emerged from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant display showed Clough observing events beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a bench at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Start

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the performance on the night? It was strong, too. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an attempt wide inside the opening moments and built a two-goal advantage by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who came to Forest aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defense led by their own academy product captain, Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The Forest centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a defender and into the pathway of Yates, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the box to register his first goal since March.

Another Goal Seals Dominance

The scorer was implicated in Forest’s next goal on the brink of the interval, as well, his unmarked header parried by the goalkeeper Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to tap in the loose ball from close range. James McAtee, the playmaker given a seldom start and only his second appearance since the autumn, was the spark, chipping a perfect ball towards Yates at the far post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was turned aside off the defender Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City striker Uwe, and an unmarked Milenkovic also earlier had a strong header instinctively repelled by Ellborg, who was back in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was the Swedish side's first match since the Swedish Allsvenskan concluded on 9 November, and they struggled to match Forest’s energy. Forest made it 3-0 when the defender scored after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a corner. The captain had a shot blocked, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

Forest then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a effort on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious shot wide from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. Dyche, aware of the upcoming league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made seven changes from the side that surprised Liverpool at Anfield recently, when they also netted three goals, though he called on substitutes and Igor Jesus midway through the second half.

Smooth Night for the Team

It proved a flawless night for Forest. The coach could withdraw Murillo with the match already boxed off and subsequently introduced 19-year-old full-back Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the Forest old guard providing “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop demonstrated they are able of a few nuggets of thrills, too.