Nottingham Forest produced a commanding performance as they swept aside Malmo in the Europa League, tightening their hold on a play-off position and continuing their impressive resurgence under Sean Dyche.
Forest captain Ryan Yates opened the scoring before Arnaud Kalimuendo and Nikola Milenkovic added further goals, securing a result that echoed the 1979 European Cup final—when Forest famously defeated the Swedish giants to win their first European title.
The win marked Forest’s third consecutive victory, their longest run of the season. After their slump last campaign cost them a Champions League place, they now sit just two points shy of the top eight, which guarantees automatic progression to the last 16.
Dyche Praises Mentality as Forest Build Momentum
Dyche, who has restored stability following a chaotic managerial spell involving Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou, emphasised the steady approach:
“The mentality we’re building is simple — one game at a time,” Dyche said, stressing that winning consistently removes the need to constantly watch the league standings.
Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Liverpool lifted Forest out of the Premier League relegation zone, and their latest triumph against Malmo pushed them up to 16th in the Europa League standings, well-positioned for a play-off spot.
Forest looked in control from the opening minutes. Yates’ first-half strike set the tone, and Kalimuendo — who arrived for £26m from Rennes — found his first goal for the club just before half-time. Milenkovic’s close-range finish shortly after the restart put the match beyond doubt, with Callum Hudson-Odoi striking the bar as Forest threatened a fourth.
Dyche made seven changes for the fixture, noting the importance of squad depth.
“The fixture schedule is tightening, so keeping the whole squad ready is essential,” he said. “These games help players get the full 90 minutes when we need it.”
Forest’s European Legacy Inspires New Generation
Before kick-off, Forest honoured their legendary 1979 squad, who reunited at the City Ground alongside members of that year’s Malmo team. The veterans watched proudly as the current squad delivered one of their most dominant displays of the campaign.
Forest’s goal at the start of the season was to make a strong impression in Europe, and after a turbulent start, Dyche’s leadership has revived belief both domestically and on the continent. With top-eight qualification just two points away, hopes remain high.
Forest now look ahead to challenging trips to Utrecht and Braga before finishing the league phase at home against Ferencvaros in January. With four wins in seven under Dyche — including two in Europe — momentum is clearly on their side.
What’s Next?
- Nottingham Forest: Host Brighton on Sunday (14:05 GMT) before travelling to Wolves on 3 December (19:30).
- Malmo: Visit Porto in the Europa League on 11 December, then face Red Star at home on 22 January.
Also Read: ‘My wife said I’d mess it up’ – O’Neill Guides Celtic Through Turbulent Times