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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” echoed through the ground as Forest supporters celebrated another success against their Swedish opponents. Much has occurred since Francis's winning header clinched the continental trophy in 1979, but Forest continue to treasure those memories. Equally, major changes have taken place in the five weeks since the manager assumed control, with the team appearing reinvigorated and earning a comfortable win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of progressing in the Europa League.

Gaining Momentum with Third Consecutive Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after ending in sixth place in their home competition – represented a third straight triumph across all competitions and further built on the positive energy generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Liverpool. While this fixture was a reminder of the club's historic success in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any real tension or nerves.

This was an occasion dripping in nostalgia, an longed-for reunion and the third meeting between the sides since the European Cup final 46 years ago.

Forest leaned into the heritage, paying tribute to the heroes of that era by providing them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Malmö's team from that time were additionally in attendance. The two clubs enjoyed a meal together prior to the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates were given a rousing welcome when they assembled on the pitch a quarter of an hour before kick-off, and a characteristically superb tifo was shown in the Trent End.

Remembering the Past

“30th May 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” displayed one part of a giant banner, in block capitals. While nobody needed reminding of what happened next, the rest was unfurled as the squads came out from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second stunning display showed Brian Clough watching events beside his assistant Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Start

So, Forest had drunk in those wonderful recollections, but what about the showing on the evening? It was pretty good, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an effort off target inside the opening moments and established a two-goal advantage by the break. Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Ryan Yates, who joined Forest as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defense captained by their own academy product captain, Jansson, previously of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of Yates, who swept home with his right foot from just inside the penalty area to register his first goal since last March.

Another Goal Confirms Control

The scorer was implicated in the team's second goal on the brink of half-time, too, his free header saved by the shot-stopper Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to convert the rebound from close range. James McAtee, the midfielder given a rare start and just his second appearance since the autumn, was the catalyst, lofting a delicious ball towards his teammate at the back post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was turned aside off the back Rösler, son of ex- Man City striker Uwe, and an unmarked Milenkovic had previously had a powerful header instinctively repelled by the keeper, who returned in place of the former Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was Malmö’s first match since the Swedish Allsvenskan concluded on 9 November, and they found it hard to match Forest’s energy. The Reds made it 3-0 when the defender applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a set-piece. Yates had a volley stopped, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a right-foot shot on to the bar before Sangaré sent an optimistic effort wide from distance. It was one of those evenings. Dyche, mindful of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton, implemented seven changes from the side that stunned the Reds at Anfield last weekend, when they additionally scored three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs during the final period.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free night for Nottingham Forest. The coach could take off Murillo with the match already sewn up and later introduced teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche talked about the Forest old guard supplying “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad showed they are capable of producing of excitement, as well.