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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” rang out around the City Ground as Nottingham Forest followers celebrated another result against Malmö. A great deal has occurred since Francis's decisive header secured the European Cup back in 1979, but Forest still cherish those memories. Similarly, major changes have taken place in the weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with Forest looking reinvigorated and securing a convincing win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, boosting their prospects of progressing in the European competition.

Gaining Steam with Third Straight Victory

For Nottingham Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after ending in sixth place in their home competition – marked a third straight triumph across all competitions and added to the positive energy gained from the previous week's success at Liverpool. While this match was a reminder of the club's European Cup success in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any real tension or jitters.

This was an occasion dripping in sentiment, an longed-for reunion and the third clash between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the legends of 1979 by giving them, along with their visiting counterparts, the VIP welcome. Thirteen members of the Swedish club’s team from that time were also in attendance. The two clubs enjoyed a dinner together prior to the match. Forest legends and company received a rousing welcome when they assembled on the pitch a quarter of an hour before kick-off, and a characteristically superb display was unveiled in the home stand.

Remembering the Past

“May 30, 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left,” displayed half of a giant tifo, in block capitals. While no one required a reminder of what happened next, the rest was revealed as the squads emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. Another stunning tifo showed Clough observing events beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Start

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful memories, but what about the showing on the night? It was pretty good, too. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo whistled an attempt wide inside the opening moments and built a two-goal advantage by the half-time interval. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Yates, who came to Forest aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defence led by their own homegrown skipper, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford. The Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a defender and into the path of Yates, who finished with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area to register his first goal since March.

Another Strike Confirms Control

The scorer was implicated in Forest’s second goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his unmarked header parried by the shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to convert the loose ball from close range. McAtee, the playmaker handed a rare start and just his second outing since September, was the catalyst, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the back post.

A minute earlier, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was turned aside off the defender Rösler, the son of ex- Manchester City striker Uwe, and an free the defender had previously had a powerful header smartly repelled by Ellborg, who was back in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was the Swedish side's first match since the domestic league concluded on 9 November, and they struggled to equal Forest’s energy. The Reds made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a set-piece. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the rebound.

The home side then pushed for more, with the winger chipping a effort on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic effort wide from 30 yards. It was that kind of nights. The manager, mindful of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented seven changes from the team that stunned the Reds at Anfield last weekend, when they additionally scored three goals, though he called on substitutes and further fresh legs during the final period.

Smooth Evening for Forest

It proved a flawless night for Forest. The coach could take off Murillo with the match already boxed off and later introduced teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He talked about the Forest old guard providing “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop demonstrated they are able of a few nuggets of excitement, as well.