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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” rang out around the City Ground as Forest followers reveled in a further result against Malmö. Much has happened since Trevor Francis’s decisive header secured the continental trophy in 1979, but the club continue to treasure those glorious moments. Similarly, significant changes have occurred in the weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest appearing reinvigorated and securing a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of progressing in the Europa League.

Gaining Steam with Third Consecutive Win

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing sixth in their home competition – marked a third consecutive triumph across every tournament and added to the positive energy generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Liverpool. While this match was a re-run of the club's historic triumph in name, the encounter itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or nerves.

It proved to be an event filled with sentiment, an longed-for reunion and the third meeting between the sides since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side fully embraced the heritage, honoring the legends of 1979 by providing them, along with their visiting counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Malmö's team from then were additionally in attendance. Both teams shared a dinner together prior to the kick-off. Forest legends and company were given a rousing reception when they assembled on the pitch 15 minutes before kick-off, and a characteristically impressive tifo was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering the Past

“30th May 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left,” displayed one part of a large banner, in capital letters. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the players emerged from the dressing rooms. “There is Francis,” it stated. Another stunning tifo showed Brian Clough observing events beside his assistant Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Control from the Outset

So, the hosts had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the performance on the night? It was pretty good, as well. They were in complete control from the moment the forward whistled an effort off target inside two minutes and built a 2-0 advantage by the half-time interval. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Yates, who joined Forest as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defense captained by their own homegrown captain, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The Forest centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a defender and into the pathway of Yates, who finished with his right foot from just inside the box to score his first goal since last March.

Second Strike Confirms Dominance

Yates was implicated in Forest’s next goal on the brink of half-time, too, his unmarked header parried by Malmö’s goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the loose ball from close range. James McAtee, the playmaker handed a rare start and just his second appearance since the autumn, was the catalyst, lofting a perfect ball towards Yates at the far post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was turned wide off Malmö back Rösler, the son of former Man City striker Uwe Rösler, and an free the defender also earlier had a strong header instinctively repelled by Ellborg, who was back in place of the ex- Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league ended on November 9th, and they struggled to match Forest’s energy. The Reds made it 3-0 when the defender scored after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a set-piece. Yates had a volley stopped, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

The home side then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a right-foot shot on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious shot off target from distance. It was one of those nights. Dyche, mindful of the upcoming league game here against Brighton, implemented seven changes from the team that stunned the Reds at their ground recently, when they also scored three goals, though he called on substitutes and further fresh legs midway through the final period.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It proved a flawless night for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could take off Murillo with the match long since boxed off and subsequently introduced 19-year-old defender Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the club legends supplying “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad demonstrated they are able of producing of thrills, too.