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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted through the ground as Forest followers reveled in another success against their Swedish opponents. Much has happened since Francis's decisive header clinched the European Cup back in the year 1979, but Forest still cherish those memories. Similarly, significant shifts have taken place in the weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with the team looking reinvigorated and securing a convincing win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of advancing in the European competition.

Gaining Momentum with Another Straight Win

For Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after finishing in sixth place in their home competition – marked a third straight triumph across every tournament and added to the positive energy generated from the previous week's stunning victory at Liverpool. While this match was a reminder of Forest’s historic success in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any significant tension or nerves.

This was an occasion dripping in nostalgia, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third clash between the sides since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side leaned into the history, paying tribute to the legends of 1979 by giving them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. Thirteen members of the Malmö's squad from that time were also in attendance. The two clubs enjoyed a dinner together before the match. Forest legends and company received a rousing welcome when they assembled on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a typically superb display was unveiled in the home stand.

Remembering the Past

“May 30, 1979, John Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” displayed one part of a giant tifo, in capital letters. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the players came out from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it continued. A second stunning display showed Clough observing events beside his assistant Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Outset

So, the hosts had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the performance on the night? It was strong, as well. They were in complete control from the moment the forward whistled an effort wide inside two minutes and established a two-goal lead by the break. Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Zach Abbott, on his first European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Yates, who came to Forest as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the Malmö defence led by their own academy product skipper, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford. The Forest defender Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of the midfielder, who swept home with his right foot from the edge of the box to score his first goal since last March.

Second Strike Seals Control

The scorer was involved in the team's next goal on the brink of the interval, too, his unmarked header saved by Malmö’s goalkeeper Ellborg but the alert forward poised to convert the loose ball from point-blank range. James McAtee, the playmaker given a rare start and just his second outing since September, was the spark, chipping a delicious ball towards Yates at the far post.

A minute earlier, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was turned aside off Malmö back Colin Rösler, the son of former Manchester City forward Uwe Rösler, and an free the defender had previously had a powerful header instinctively repelled by Ellborg, who returned in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's first match since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to equal Forest’s intensity. The Reds made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his centre-back partner Murillo headed back a corner. The captain had a volley blocked, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with the winger dinking a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an ambitious shot wide from distance. It was that kind of nights. Dyche, aware of the upcoming league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made multiple alterations from the side that stunned the Reds at Anfield recently, when they also scored three goals, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for the Team

It proved a hiccup-free evening for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could withdraw the defender with the game long since sewn up and later brought on teenage defender Jimmy Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche discussed the club legends providing “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop demonstrated they are capable of producing of thrills, too.