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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted through the ground as Nottingham Forest followers celebrated a further result against their Swedish opponents. Much has happened since Francis's winning header secured the continental trophy back in the year 1979, but Forest continue to cherish those glorious moments. Equally, major shifts have occurred in the weeks since Sean Dyche took charge, with the team appearing reinvigorated and earning a comfortable win thanks to goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of advancing in the European competition.

Gaining Steam with Another Straight Win

For Forest, this performance – against a Swedish side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing sixth in their home competition – marked a third straight triumph across every tournament and added to the positive energy gained from the previous week's success at Liverpool. While this match was a re-run of Forest’s historic triumph in name, the encounter itself was devoid of any real tension or jitters.

It proved to be an occasion dripping in nostalgia, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third competitive clash between the teams since the European Cup final over four decades past.

Forest fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the heroes of 1979 by giving them, along with their visiting opponents, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Malmö's team from then were additionally present. Both teams shared a dinner together before the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates received a tumultuous reception when they assembled on the pitch a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically superb tifo was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering History

“30th May 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” read one part of a large banner, in capital letters. While nobody needed reminding of what ensued, the rest was unfurled as the squads came out from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. A second stunning display showed Clough observing proceedings beside his right-hand man Taylor on a dugout at the Olympiastadion.

Dominance from the Outset

So, Forest had drunk in those beautiful memories, but what about the performance on the evening? It was pretty good, as well. They were in complete control from the moment Kalimuendo fired an effort off target inside two minutes and established a two-goal lead by the break. 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 initial breakthrough in the Malmö defense led by their own academy product captain, Pontus Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest defender Milenkovic saw a cross deflect off a opponent and into the path of Yates, who swept home right-footed from just inside the box to score his first goal since March.

Second Goal Seals Dominance

The scorer was involved in the team's second goal on the brink of half-time, as well, his free header parried by Malmö’s goalkeeper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the rebound from point-blank range. James McAtee, the playmaker given a rare start and just his second outing since the autumn, was the spark, chipping a delicious ball towards Yates at the back post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was deflected wide off Malmö defender Colin Rösler, the son of ex- Man City striker Uwe, and an unmarked the defender had earlier had a strong header smartly saved by Ellborg, who returned in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended 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 corner. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

Forest then went for the jugular, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a right-foot shot on to the bar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort wide from 30 yards. It was one of those nights. The manager, aware of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton, implemented multiple alterations from the side that surprised the Reds at their ground last weekend, when they also scored three times, though he called on Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and further fresh legs during the second half.

Smooth Night for the Team

It turned out to be a hiccup-free evening for Nottingham Forest. The coach could take off the defender with the match already boxed off and subsequently introduced 19-year-old defender Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. He discussed the Forest old guard supplying “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the present squad showed they are capable of producing of thrills, too.