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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” echoed around the City Ground as Nottingham Forest fans reveled in a further success against Malmö. Much has happened since Francis's decisive header clinched the European Cup back in 1979, but Forest continue to hold dear those glorious moments. Similarly, significant shifts have occurred in the weeks since Sean Dyche assumed control, with Forest appearing reinvigorated and securing a convincing win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of progressing in the Europa League.

Building Momentum with Another Consecutive Victory

For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing sixth in their domestic league – marked a third straight triumph across all competitions and further built on the momentum generated from last weekend’s success at Liverpool. While this match was a reminder of the club's historic triumph in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or jitters.

It proved to be an event dripping in nostalgia, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third competitive meeting between the sides since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

The home side leaned into the history, paying tribute to the heroes of 1979 by giving them, along with their visiting counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Swedish club’s squad from that time were additionally in attendance. Both teams shared a dinner together prior to the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a tumultuous welcome when they assembled on the pitch 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically impressive tifo was unveiled in the Trent End.

Recalling the Past

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” read one part of a large banner, in capital letters. While no one required a reminder of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the players came out from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant tifo showed Clough observing events beside his assistant Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Outset

So, the hosts had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the performance on the evening? It was pretty good, too. They were in full command from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an effort off target inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 lead by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Yates, who came to Forest aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defense led by their own academy product skipper, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The home centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a defender and into the path of Yates, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to score his first goal since March.

Another Goal Seals Control

The scorer was involved in Forest’s next goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his unmarked header parried by the goalkeeper Ellborg but the alert forward poised to convert the rebound from close range. James McAtee, the playmaker given a seldom start and just his second outing since the autumn, was the catalyst, chipping a perfect ball towards Yates at the far post.

A minute earlier, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was deflected aside off Malmö back Colin Rösler, son of former Man City striker Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked Milenkovic also previously had a strong header smartly saved by Ellborg, who returned in place of the former Aston Villa goalie Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the domestic league concluded on 9 November, and they found it hard to equal Forest’s energy. The Reds extended the lead to three when the defender applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a set-piece. The captain had a shot stopped, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a effort on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious effort wide from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. The manager, mindful of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton, implemented multiple alterations from the team that surprised Liverpool at their ground recently, when they additionally netted three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs midway through the second half.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It proved a flawless evening for Nottingham Forest. The coach could withdraw the defender with the match long since sewn up and subsequently brought on teenage full-back Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche discussed the club legends providing “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the current crop showed they are capable of producing of excitement, as well.