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“You’ll never sing that, champions of Europe,” echoed around the City Ground as Forest fans celebrated a further win against Malmö. Much has occurred since Francis's winning header secured the European Cup back in the year 1979, but the club still treasure those memories. Similarly, major shifts have occurred in the five weeks since the manager took charge, with the team looking refreshed and securing a convincing win courtesy of goals from Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of advancing in the European competition.

Building Steam with Another Straight Victory

For Forest, this result – against a Swedish side that had been inactive for nearly a month after finishing in sixth place in their domestic league – marked a third straight triumph across every tournament and added to the momentum generated from the previous week's stunning victory at Anfield. While this fixture was a reminder of Forest’s historic success in spirit, the encounter itself was devoid of any real tension or jitters.

It proved to be an occasion dripping in nostalgia, an longed-for reunion and the third meeting between the sides since the European Cup final over four decades past.

The home side fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the legends of that era by giving them, along with their visiting counterparts, the red-carpet treatment. 13 members of the Malmö's squad from then were also in attendance. The two clubs enjoyed a dinner together prior to the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a tumultuous reception when they gathered on the pitch 15 minutes before the start, and a typically impressive display was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering the Past

“May 30, 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read half of a giant tifo, in capital letters. While nobody needed reminding of what happened next, the remaining section was unfurled as the squads came out from the dressing rooms. “And there’s Francis,” it stated. Another stunning tifo 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 recollections, 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 off target inside two minutes and built a 2-0 advantage by the break. 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 came to Forest aged eight, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defence captained by their own homegrown skipper, Jansson, previously of Leeds and Brentford FC. The Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a defender and into the path of the midfielder, who finished with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area to register his first goal since last March.

Second Goal Seals Dominance

Yates was implicated in the team's second goal on the verge of the interval, too, his unmarked header saved by Malmö’s shot-stopper Ellborg but the alert forward poised to convert the loose ball from point-blank range. McAtee, the midfielder given a rare start and only his second appearance since September, was the spark, lofting a perfect ball towards Yates at the far post.

Just moments before, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was deflected wide off Malmö defender Rösler, the son of former Manchester City forward Uwe Rösler, and an free the defender also previously had a powerful header instinctively saved by Ellborg, who returned in place of the former Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was the Swedish side's initial game since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on November 9th, and they struggled to match Forest’s energy. Forest made it 3-0 when the defender applied the finishing touch after his defensive colleague Murillo kept alive a set-piece. Yates had a volley blocked, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

The home side then went for the jugular, with Hudson-Odoi chipping a right-foot shot on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious shot off target from distance. It was one of those nights. The manager, mindful of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, implemented multiple alterations from the team that surprised Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, when they also scored three goals, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus midway through the final period.

Hiccup-Free Night for the Team

It turned out to be a flawless evening for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could withdraw Murillo with the game long since boxed off and subsequently introduced teenage defender Jimmy Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche talked about the club legends supplying “valuable insights” at regular meetings and, almost five decades on, the current crop demonstrated they are capable of producing of thrills, as well.