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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted around the stadium as Nottingham Forest supporters celebrated another win against Malmö. Much has transpired since Trevor Francis’s winning header secured the European Cup in the year 1979, but the club continue to treasure those memories. Equally, significant shifts have taken place in the weeks since the manager assumed control, with Forest appearing refreshed and securing a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Building Momentum with Another Straight Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing sixth in their home competition – marked a third straight triumph across every tournament and further built on the momentum gained from last weekend’s success at Liverpool. While this fixture was a reminder of Forest’s European Cup success in name, the game itself was devoid of any significant jeopardy or nerves.

It proved to be an occasion dripping in sentiment, an longed-for meeting and the third competitive clash between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

Forest fully embraced the history, honoring the heroes of 1979 by giving them, along with their visiting counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Malmö's team from that time were additionally in attendance. The two clubs enjoyed a meal together before the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a tumultuous welcome when they gathered on the field a quarter of an hour before the start, and a typically impressive display was shown in the Trent End.

Recalling History

“30th May 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read one part of a large banner, in capital letters. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the rest was revealed as the players came out from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. Another brilliant display depicted Clough watching events beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Start

So, the hosts had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the performance on the night? It was strong, too. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo fired an effort off target inside the opening moments and built a two-goal lead by the break. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defense captained by their own academy product skipper, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford FC. The home defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a opponent and into the path of Yates, who finished right-footed from just inside the penalty area to register his maiden strike since March.

Another Strike Confirms Control

The scorer was implicated in the team's second goal on the verge of the interval, too, his unmarked header saved by the goalkeeper Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to convert 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, lofting a delicious ball towards Yates at the back post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was deflected wide off the back Colin Rösler, son of ex- Manchester City striker Uwe, and an unmarked Milenkovic also previously had a powerful header instinctively saved by the keeper, who returned in place of the ex- 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 equal the home team's energy. Forest extended the lead to three when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a set-piece. Yates had a shot blocked, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with the winger dinking a effort on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort off target from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. The manager, mindful of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton, made seven changes from the team that surprised Liverpool at their ground last weekend, when they also netted three goals, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus midway through the final period.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless evening for Forest. Dyche could withdraw Murillo with the game already sewn up and subsequently brought on teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop showed they are able of producing of excitement, as well.