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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted through the City Ground as Forest supporters reveled in a further result against Malmö. Much has occurred since Francis's winning header secured the continental trophy back in the year 1979, but Forest still hold dear those glorious moments. Equally, major shifts have taken place in the weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with the team appearing refreshed and securing a comfortable win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of advancing in the Europa League.

Gaining Momentum with Third Consecutive Win

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing sixth in their home competition – marked a third consecutive triumph across all competitions and added to the positive energy generated from last weekend’s success at Liverpool. While this fixture was a re-run of Forest’s European Cup triumph in spirit, the game itself was free of any significant tension or nerves.

This was an event filled with sentiment, an longed-for meeting and the third competitive clash between the teams since the European Cup final over four decades past.

The home side fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the legends of 1979 by providing them, along with their visiting opponents, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Malmö's squad from then were also present. The two clubs shared a meal together prior to the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a rousing reception when they gathered on the pitch a quarter of an hour before kick-off, and a characteristically superb display was shown in the home stand.

Remembering the Past

“May 30, 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” displayed half of a large banner, in capital letters. While nobody needed reminding of what happened next, the rest was unfurled as the squads came out from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it continued. Another stunning display depicted Brian Clough observing proceedings beside his assistant Peter Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Outset

So, the hosts had drunk in those wonderful memories, but what about the performance on the evening? It was impressive, as well. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo fired an attempt off target inside two minutes and built a 2-0 lead by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Yates, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the visitors' defense led by their own academy product captain, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford. The Forest defender Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a defender and into the path of the midfielder, who finished with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area to register his first goal since last March.

Second Strike Seals Dominance

Yates was implicated in Forest’s next goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his free header saved by Malmö’s shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward poised to convert the rebound from close range. McAtee, the playmaker given a seldom start and just his second appearance since September, was the catalyst, chipping a perfect ball towards Yates at the back post.

Just moments before, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was turned aside off Malmö defender Rösler, son of former Manchester City forward Uwe, and an free Milenkovic also earlier had a strong header smartly saved by the keeper, who was back in place of the former Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the domestic league ended on November 9th, and they struggled to equal Forest’s intensity. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a set-piece. The captain had a shot stopped, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then went for the jugular, with the winger chipping a effort on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious shot wide from distance. It was that kind of nights. The manager, aware of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton, implemented seven changes from the team that surprised the Reds at Anfield recently, when they additionally scored three times, though he called on substitutes and further fresh legs during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for the Team

It turned out to be a flawless evening for Forest. The coach could take off the defender with the game already sewn up and subsequently introduced 19-year-old defender Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop showed they are capable of producing of excitement, too.