🔗 Share this article

“Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted around the stadium as Nottingham Forest fans celebrated a further result against Malmö. A great deal has happened since Francis's decisive header secured the European Cup back in the year 1979, but the club still hold dear those glorious moments. Equally, major shifts have occurred in the five weeks since the manager took charge, with Forest appearing reinvigorated and earning a comfortable win courtesy of goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their hopes of advancing in the Europa League.

Building Momentum with Third Consecutive Victory

For Forest, this result – against a Malmö side that had been inactive for nearly a month 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 stunning victory at Liverpool. While this match was a re-run of the club's historic triumph in spirit, the game itself was free of any significant tension or nerves.

This was an event filled with sentiment, an longed-for meeting and the third competitive meeting between the teams since the showpiece event over four decades past.

The home side leaned into the history, paying tribute to the heroes of that era by giving them, along with their Malmö opponents, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Malmö's team from that time were also present. The two clubs shared a meal together prior to the kick-off. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and their teammates were given a tumultuous reception when they gathered on the pitch a quarter of an hour before the start, and a characteristically impressive display was unveiled in the Trent End.

Recalling History

“30th May 1979, Robertson delivered the ball from the left flank,” read one part of a large tifo, in block capitals. While nobody needed reminding of what ensued, the rest was unfurled as the squads came out from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant display showed Brian Clough watching events beside his right-hand man Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion.

Control from the Outset

So, the hosts had soaked up those beautiful recollections, but what about the performance on the night? It was strong, too. They were in complete control from the moment the forward whistled an effort wide inside the opening moments and established a two-goal advantage by the break. Domínguez sent an early header wide and then Abbott, on his first European start, tried his luck.

It felt fitting that Yates, who joined the club as an eight-year-old, made the first dent in the Malmö defence led by their own homegrown captain, Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford FC. The home defender Nikola Milenkovic saw a delivery cannon off a opponent and into the pathway of Yates, who swept home right-footed from the edge of the penalty area to score his first goal since last March.

Another Goal Seals Control

The scorer was involved in the team's next goal on the verge of half-time, as well, his unmarked header saved by the goalkeeper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward poised to tap in the rebound from close range. McAtee, the playmaker given a seldom start and just his second appearance since September, was the spark, lofting a delicious ball towards Yates at the back post.

A minute earlier, Hudson-Odoi’s low effort was turned aside off the back Rösler, son of former Man City forward Uwe, and an free the defender also previously had a powerful header instinctively repelled by the keeper, who was back in place of the former Villa goalie Olsen.

Opponent's Struggles

This was Malmö’s first match since the domestic league ended on 9 November, and they struggled to equal the home team's intensity. Forest made it 3-0 when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a set-piece. Yates had a shot stopped, but the Serbia defender Milenkovic pounced on the leftovers.

The home side then went for the jugular, with the winger dinking a right-foot shot on to the bar before Ibrahim Sangaré sent an ambitious effort off target from distance. It was that kind of nights. Dyche, mindful of the upcoming domestic fixture here against Brighton & Hove Albion, made seven changes from the side that stunned Liverpool at their ground last weekend, when they also netted three goals, though he introduced substitutes and Igor Jesus midway through the second half.

Smooth Night for Forest

It turned out to be a flawless night for Nottingham Forest. Dyche could take off the defender with the game long since sewn up and subsequently brought on 19-year-old defender Jimmy Sinclair for his senior bow. Dyche discussed the Forest old guard providing “valuable insights” at weekly get-togethers and, nearly fifty years on, the current crop demonstrated they are able of producing of thrills, as well.