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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” rang out around the City Ground as Nottingham Forest fans celebrated a further win against their Swedish opponents. Much has happened since Francis's winning header clinched the European Cup back in the year 1979, but the club still hold dear those glorious moments. Equally, major changes have taken place in the weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with the team appearing refreshed and securing a comfortable victory thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of advancing in the Europa League.

Building Steam with Third Straight Win

For Nottingham Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for almost three weeks after finishing in sixth place in their domestic league – represented a third straight triumph across every tournament and further built on the positive energy generated from the previous week's stunning victory at Anfield. While this fixture was a reminder of the club's historic success in spirit, the game itself was devoid of any significant jeopardy or nerves.

It proved to be an event dripping in nostalgia, an eagerly awaited reunion and the third competitive clash between the teams since the showpiece event over four decades past.

The home side fully embraced the heritage, honoring the heroes of that era by providing them, along with their Malmö opponents, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Malmö's team from that time were also present. The two clubs enjoyed a meal together before the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company were given a tumultuous reception when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a typically superb display was unveiled in the home stand.

Remembering the Past

“30th May 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read one part of a large banner, in capital letters. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the squads came out from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant tifo showed Clough observing proceedings beside his assistant Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Start

So, the hosts had drunk in those wonderful memories, but what about the performance on the night? It was impressive, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward fired an effort wide inside two minutes and built a two-goal lead by the break. Nicolás Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It felt fitting that Yates, who came to Forest as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the visitors' defense led by their own homegrown skipper, Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford. The home centre-back Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a defender and into the pathway of Yates, who finished with his right foot from the edge of the box to register his maiden strike since last March.

Another Strike Seals Control

Yates was implicated in the team's next goal on the brink of half-time, too, his free header saved by Malmö’s shot-stopper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the rebound from close range. McAtee, the playmaker handed a rare start and only his second appearance since September, was the spark, lofting a delicious ball towards his teammate at the back post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s driven shot was turned wide off the defender Colin Rösler, son of former Manchester City striker Uwe Rösler, and an free the defender also previously had a strong header smartly repelled by Ellborg, who was back in place of the ex- Villa goalkeeper Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the domestic league ended on November 9th, and they struggled to match Forest’s intensity. The Reds made it 3-0 when the defender scored after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a set-piece. Yates had a volley stopped, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

The home side then pushed for more, with the winger dinking a effort on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic effort off target from distance. It was one of those evenings. Dyche, mindful of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented multiple alterations from the side that surprised Liverpool at Anfield recently, when they also netted three goals, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus midway through the second half.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It turned out to be a hiccup-free night for Forest. Dyche could withdraw the defender with the game already sewn up and later brought on teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He talked about the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad showed they are capable of producing of thrills, as well.