🔗 Share this article Arnaud Kalimuendo Fires as Forest Claim Sentimental Triumph Over Malmö “Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that,” was chanted through the stadium as Forest supporters celebrated a further success against Malmö. A great deal has transpired since Francis's decisive header clinched the European Cup back in 1979, but Forest still hold dear those glorious moments. Similarly, major changes have taken place in the five weeks since the manager assumed control, with the team appearing reinvigorated and securing a convincing win thanks to goals from Kalimuendo, Yates, and Nikola Milenkovic, enhancing their prospects of progressing in the European competition. Gaining Steam with Third Consecutive Victory For Forest, this performance – against a Malmö side that had not played for almost three weeks after finishing sixth in their home competition – represented a third straight win across all competitions and further built on the momentum generated from last weekend’s stunning victory at Liverpool. While this fixture was a re-run of Forest’s European Cup success in name, the encounter itself was free of any significant tension or jitters. This was an occasion dripping in sentiment, an longed-for meeting and the third meeting between the teams since the showpiece event over four decades past. Forest fully embraced the history, honoring the legends of that era by providing them, along with their Malmö opponents, the VIP welcome. 13 members of the Swedish club’s squad from that time were also present. The two clubs shared a meal together prior to the match. Frank Clark, Colin Barrett and company received a rousing reception when they gathered on the field 15 minutes before the start, and a characteristically superb tifo was unveiled in the home stand. Recalling the Past “May 30, 1979, Robertson crossed it in from the left flank,” read half of a giant tifo, in capital letters. While no one needed reminding of what ensued, the remaining section was revealed as the squads emerged from the tunnel. “There is Francis,” it continued. A second brilliant display depicted Brian Clough observing proceedings beside his assistant Peter Taylor on a bench at the Olympiastadion. Dominance from the Start So, Forest had drunk in those beautiful memories, but what about the showing on the night? It was pretty good, as well. They were in full command from the moment the forward whistled an effort wide inside the opening moments and built a 2-0 advantage by the break. Domínguez sent an early header off target and then Abbott, on his maiden European start, tried his luck. It seemed appropriate that Ryan Yates, who came to Forest as an eight-year-old, made the initial breakthrough in the visitors' defense led by their own homegrown skipper, Pontus Jansson, formerly of Leeds United and Brentford. The home centre-back Milenkovic saw a cross cannon off a defender and into the path of Yates, who swept home with his right foot from just inside the box to register his maiden strike since last March. Another Strike Seals Dominance Yates was involved in the team's second goal on the brink of the interval, as well, his free header saved by the shot-stopper Melker Ellborg but the alert forward on hand to convert the loose ball from close range. James McAtee, the playmaker given a rare start and only his second outing since the autumn, was the spark, lofting a delicious ball towards his teammate at the back post. A minute earlier, Callum Hudson-Odoi low effort was deflected aside off Malmö back Rösler, son of former Manchester City striker Uwe, and an free the defender had earlier had a powerful header smartly repelled by the keeper, who was back in place of the ex- Aston Villa goalie Olsen. Malmö’s Struggles This was the Swedish side's first match since the domestic league concluded on 9 November, and they struggled to equal the home team's energy. The Reds extended the lead to three when Milenkovic scored after his defensive colleague Murillo headed back a set-piece. The captain had a shot stopped, but the Serbian centre-back Milenkovic feasted on the rebound. Forest then pushed for more, with Hudson-Odoi dinking a right-foot shot on to the crossbar before Sangaré sent an ambitious effort off target from distance. It was that kind of nights. The manager, mindful of the upcoming league game here against Brighton, made multiple alterations from the side that stunned the Reds at Anfield last weekend, when they additionally netted three goals, though he introduced Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus midway through the final period. Hiccup-Free Night for Forest It turned out to be a flawless evening for Nottingham Forest. The coach could take off the defender with the game long since sewn up and subsequently introduced teenage full-back Jimmy Sinclair for his first-team debut. Dyche talked about the Forest old guard supplying “bits of gold” at regular meetings and, nearly fifty years on, the present squad showed they are capable of a few nuggets of thrills, too.