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“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted around the stadium as Nottingham Forest fans reveled in another result against Malmö. A great deal has happened since Francis's decisive header secured the European Cup in the year 1979, but Forest still hold dear those memories. Similarly, significant shifts have taken place in the weeks since the manager assumed control, with the team appearing refreshed and securing a comfortable victory courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Ryan Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of advancing in the Europa League.

Building Steam with Third Consecutive Win

For Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for nearly a month after finishing in sixth place in their home competition – represented a third straight win across every tournament and further built on the positive energy generated from the previous week's success at Liverpool. While this fixture was a re-run of the club's European Cup success in name, the encounter itself was devoid of any real jeopardy or nerves.

It proved to be an event dripping in sentiment, an eagerly awaited meeting and the third competitive meeting between the teams since the showpiece event 46 years ago.

The home side fully embraced the history, paying tribute to the heroes of 1979 by providing them, along with their visiting opponents, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Swedish club’s squad from then were also present. Both teams shared a dinner together before the match. Forest legends and their teammates were given a rousing reception when they assembled on the field a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically impressive display was unveiled in the Trent End.

Remembering History

“30th May 1979, John Robertson delivered the ball from the left,” displayed half of a large tifo, in block capitals. While nobody required a reminder of what ensued, the rest was unfurled as the squads emerged from the tunnel. “And there’s Francis,” it continued. Another brilliant tifo depicted Clough watching events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Outset

So, Forest had soaked up those wonderful recollections, but what about the showing on the night? It was impressive, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward fired an effort wide inside the opening moments and established a 2-0 advantage by the break. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, had a go.

It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who came to Forest aged eight, made the first dent in the Malmö defense captained by their own academy product skipper, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds and Brentford. The Forest centre-back Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of Yates, who finished with his right foot from just inside the penalty area to score his first goal since last March.

Another Goal Seals Control

Yates was implicated in the team's second goal on the verge of the interval, as well, his free header parried by Malmö’s goalkeeper Ellborg but Kalimuendo on hand to tap in the rebound from close range. McAtee, the midfielder handed a rare start and only his second appearance since September, was the catalyst, lofting a delicious ball towards his teammate at the back post.

A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was turned aside off Malmö back Colin Rösler, son of ex- Manchester City forward Uwe Rösler, and an unmarked Milenkovic also previously had a strong header smartly repelled by the keeper, who returned in place of the former Aston Villa goalie Robin Olsen.

Malmö’s Struggles

This was Malmö’s first match since the Swedish Allsvenskan ended on November 9th, and they struggled to match Forest’s energy. Forest extended the lead to three when Milenkovic applied the finishing touch after his centre-back partner Murillo kept alive a set-piece. The captain had a shot stopped, but the Serbia centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound.

Forest then went for the jugular, with the winger chipping a effort on to the crossbar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an optimistic shot off target from distance. It was one of those nights. The manager, mindful of Sunday’s domestic fixture here against Brighton, implemented multiple alterations from the side that surprised Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, when they additionally netted three times, though he introduced substitutes and further fresh legs during the second half.

Hiccup-Free Evening for Forest

It proved a hiccup-free evening for Forest. The coach could take off Murillo with the match long since boxed off and subsequently introduced 19-year-old full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his first-team debut. He discussed the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop showed they are capable of a few nuggets of excitement, as well.