Leeds United climbed to nine points clear of the Premier League relegation zone with a vital 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest at Elland Road, turning a high-stakes six-pointer into a major boost for their survival hopes.
A rapid first-half double put the hosts in control. Jayden Bogle opened the scoring after Ilia Gruev’s incisive pass released him into the box for his first goal of the season. Four minutes later Noah Okafor converted a close-range chance — his first goal since October — to make it 2-0.
Forest had threatened earlier but found Karl Darlow in form, whose saves kept Leeds ahead before the goals arrived. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, having struck the bar earlier, chested in his 10th Premier League goal four minutes after the break to effectively put the game beyond reach.
Forest pressed in the closing stages. Dan Ndoye fired over and Morato almost nodded one in, while debutant Lorenzo Lucca pulled a goal back with a towering header on 86 minutes. Darlow produced a strong stoppage-time save from Ibrahim Sangare to preserve the victory and ensure Leeds celebrated three crucial points. The result ended Forest’s four-game unbeaten run and leaves them nervously awaiting other results, notably Burnley vs West Ham, with a six-point cushion to the Hammers.
Key moments:
– 1-0 Jayden Bogle: Gruev’s run-splitting pass set up Bogle’s first of the season.
– 2-0 Noah Okafor: Close-range finish, his first strike since October.
– 3-0 Dominic Calvert-Lewin: Chested finish four minutes into the second half, his 10th of the campaign.
– 3-1 Lorenzo Lucca: Debutant’s towering header late on.
– Late: Darlow saves from Sangare to secure the result.
Player ratings (source matchday):
– Leeds: Darlow 7, Justin 8, Rodon 7, Struijk 7, Bogle 8, Ampadu 7, Gruev 8 (POTM), Gudmundson 8, Aaronson 7, Okafor 8, Calvert-Lewin 7. Subs: James 6, Longstaff 6, Bornauw N/A.
– Nottingham Forest: Ortega 5, Abbott 5, Milenkovic 6, Morato 6, Aina 5, Sangare 6, Anderson 6, Dominguez 5, Gibbs-White 6, Hudson-Odoi 5, Jesus 5. Subs: Hutchinson 7, Lucca 7, Ndoye 6, Yates 6, Netz 6.
Team news:
– Noah Okafor started for Leeds in place of the injured Anton Stach; Daniel James and Felix Nmecha were named on the bench.
– Stefan Ortega made his Nottingham Forest debut in goal. Morato and Zach Abbott started to cover for the injured Murillo and the suspended Neco Williams.
Reactions:
– Daniel Farke: “There are sometimes games that are, of course, also just three points but it feels a bit more important. … This is a sign of a winning mentality. All the credit goes to my players, because they’re so flexible so far during the season.”
– Dominic Calvert-Lewin: “When you go into any season, double figures is what you’ve got to aim for as a No 9 in this league. Double figures and above. It’s nice to hit that milestone but I’m hungry for more. I’m really enjoying my football and leading the line.”
– Sean Dyche: “The killer for us was giving away such an awful all three goals but the first one at such an important time. By the end we’re trying but it’s too late by then. There’s no qualms about the result. They were better than us on the night.”
What’s next:
– Leeds fans, who sang through much of the night, can enjoy the weekend as their side strengthen their survival bid.
– Forest must wait on other results and will approach upcoming fixtures with increased urgency as their top-half hopes wobble.