Nottingham Forest cruised to a 3-0 victory over Malmo FF at the City Ground on Thursday evening, extending Sean Dyche's impressive winning streak and boosting their hopes in the UEFA Europa League. The win marks Forest's third consecutive victory in all competitions and a five-match unbeaten run, signaling a significant turnaround under Dyche's leadership.
The match held extra significance as it was a repeat of the 1979 European Cup final, where Nottingham Forest triumphed over the Swedish side. Members of that legendary Forest team were honored before kick-off at the City Ground, adding a touch of nostalgia to the evening.
Ryan Yates, the Forest captain, opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a sweeping first-time strike after latching onto a cutback from Nikola Milenkovic. Arnaud Kalimuendo doubled the lead just before halftime, netting his first goal for the club by following up on Yates' header, which was initially saved by Malmo goalkeeper Melker Ellborg. Milenkovic then added a third goal in the second half, capitalizing on a deflected shot from Yates. All three players celebrated their first goals of the season.
Nottingham Forest dominated the game, controlling possession and limiting Malmo's attacking opportunities. The Swedish side struggled to create chances, with their only shot on target posing little threat to the Forest defense.
Dyche made several changes to the starting lineup from the previous weekend's 3-0 victory against Liverpool, with only Murillo, Milenkovic, Ibrahim Sangare, and Nicolas Dominguez retaining their places. Teenage defender Zach Abbott was handed his first start of the season.
The victory moves Nottingham Forest to 16th in the Europa League table, within striking distance of the top eight and a potential play-off spot.
"These nights at the City Ground, we have to cherish them in Europe. It's so special, and they add something different. It's a pleasure to be part of," a Forest player said.
Sean Dyche expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance and consistency. "The mentality we are trying to build here is one game at a time. I have never lost sight of that," Dyche said. "Every game is important to me, and every game should be important to the team. You don't have to constantly look at tables when you are winning games". He also emphasized the importance of the squad mentality, given the congested fixture list.
The win against Malmo marks a continuation of Nottingham Forest's recent resurgence under Sean Dyche. After a difficult start to the season, the team has found its rhythm, displaying improved defensive solidity and attacking prowess. With three consecutive wins and a five-match unbeaten run, Nottingham Forest are now looking to climb further up the Europa League table and build on their momentum in the Premier League. Their next challenge is a home game against Brighton on Sunday.
