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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” was chanted through the stadium as Nottingham Forest supporters celebrated another result against Malmö. A great deal has transpired since Trevor Francis’s decisive header clinched the continental trophy back in the year 1979, but the club still cherish those memories. Equally, significant changes have taken place in the five weeks since the manager took charge, with the team appearing refreshed and securing a convincing win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of progressing in the European competition.

Gaining Steam with Another Consecutive Win

For Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had not played for nearly a month after finishing in sixth place in their home competition – represented a third straight win across all competitions and added to the positive energy gained from the previous week's stunning victory at Liverpool. While this match was a re-run of the club's historic success in spirit, the game itself was free of any real tension or jitters.

This was an occasion dripping in sentiment, an longed-for reunion and the third competitive meeting between the sides since the European Cup final over four decades past.

The home side fully embraced the heritage, paying tribute to the heroes of that era by providing them, along with their Malmö counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Malmö's team from then were additionally in attendance. Both teams enjoyed a meal together before the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates were given a rousing welcome when they assembled on the pitch 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically impressive display was shown in the Trent End.

Recalling the Past

“30th May 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” read one part of a large tifo, in block capitals. While nobody needed reminding of what ensued, the rest was unfurled as the players emerged from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. Another stunning display depicted Brian Clough observing events beside his right-hand man Peter Taylor on a dugout at the Munich stadium.

Dominance from the Outset

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

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who joined the club aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defence led by their own academy product captain, Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford. The home centre-back Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of Yates, who swept home with his right foot from the edge of the box to score his first goal since last March.

Second Goal Confirms Control

The scorer was implicated in the team's next goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his free header saved by Malmö’s goalkeeper Ellborg but Kalimuendo poised to convert the rebound from point-blank range. James McAtee, the playmaker given a seldom start and only his second appearance since September, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards his teammate at the far post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was deflected wide off Malmö defender Rösler, son of former Man City forward Uwe, and an free the defender also earlier had a powerful header instinctively saved by the keeper, who returned in place of the former Aston Villa goalie Olsen.

Malmö’s Difficulties

This was Malmö’s initial game since the domestic league ended on 9 November, and they found it hard to match the home team's energy. The Reds made it 3-0 when the defender scored after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a corner. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbian defender Milenkovic feasted on the leftovers.

Forest then pushed for more, with the winger chipping a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic shot off target from distance. It was one of those nights. Dyche, aware of Sunday’s league game here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented seven changes from the side that surprised Liverpool at their ground recently, when they additionally scored three times, though he called on substitutes and further fresh legs midway through the final period.

Hiccup-Free Night for Forest

It proved a hiccup-free evening for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could take off Murillo with the match long since boxed off and later introduced teenage defender Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche discussed the club legends providing “bits of gold” at weekly get-togethers and, almost five decades on, the present squad demonstrated they are capable of producing of thrills, too.