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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted around the ground as Nottingham Forest supporters reveled in a further win against Malmö. Much has occurred since Francis's decisive header secured the continental trophy back in 1979, but Forest still hold dear those glorious moments. Similarly, significant shifts have taken place in the five weeks since the manager took charge, with the team appearing refreshed and earning a convincing victory courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of progressing in the Europa League.

Building Steam with Third Consecutive Victory

For Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after finishing in sixth place in their home competition – represented a third straight triumph across all competitions and further built on the positive energy gained from last weekend’s success at Anfield. While this match was a re-run of the club's historic triumph in name, the game itself was devoid of any significant jeopardy or jitters.

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

The home side leaned into the heritage, paying tribute to the legends of 1979 by providing them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were also present. The two clubs enjoyed a dinner together before the kick-off. Forest legends and company were given a tumultuous welcome when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before kick-off, and a typically impressive display was unveiled in the Trent End.

Recalling History

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read half of a giant tifo, in capital letters. While nobody needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was unfurled as the squads came out from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant display showed Brian Clough observing events beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Outset

So, the hosts had soaked up those beautiful memories, but what about the performance on the night? It was impressive, too. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an attempt wide inside two minutes and established a 2-0 advantage by the break. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Yates, who joined Forest as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defense led by their own academy product captain, Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford FC. The home centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a defender and into the pathway of Yates, who finished right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to score his maiden strike since last March.

Second Goal Seals Dominance

The scorer was implicated in Forest’s next goal on the verge of half-time, too, his free header saved by Malmö’s shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to tap in the rebound from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder given a seldom start and only his second outing since the autumn, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the far post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was turned aside off the back Rösler, son of former Manchester City forward Uwe Rösler, and an free Milenkovic had previously had a strong header smartly repelled by the keeper, who was back in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the domestic league concluded on November 9th, and they found it hard to match the home team's intensity. The Reds extended the lead to three when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a corner. Yates had a volley stopped, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

The home side then went for the jugular, with the winger chipping a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an optimistic effort off target from distance. It was one of those nights. Dyche, mindful of the upcoming league game here against Brighton, made multiple alterations from the side that surprised Liverpool at their ground last weekend, when they additionally scored three times, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless night for Forest. The coach could withdraw the defender with the match long since sewn up and subsequently brought on 19-year-old defender Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He talked about the club legends supplying “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the current crop showed they are able of a few nuggets of thrills, too.