Anton Stach delivered a dramatic finish for Leeds United, converting a long‑range free‑kick in the dying minutes to snatch a 1‑0 win at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground. The goal not only handed Leeds three points but also marked Oliver Glasner’s first Premier League defeat as Forest manager. As the match edged toward a stalemate, Leeds earned a free‑kick just outside the penalty area. Stach, known for his set‑piece prowess, stepped up and unleashed a powerful strike that slipped through a narrow gap at the near post, leaving Forest keeper Matz Sels stranded.
The Belgian shot‑stopper will now have to scrutinise his positioning and footwork, as his misjudgement proved decisive. Both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances from open play, and it was inevitable that a dead‑ball situation would prove the difference. Early in the first half, Igor Jesus rose high to meet a cross, only to see his header saved by James Trafford. He repeated the effort moments after the break, heading the ball over the bar.
Forest’s defender Nikola Milenković struck the post with a powerful effort, while substitute striker Chris Wood saw a good opening slip wide after a neat pass from Murillo. The most notable save of the afternoon came from Sels, who denied Tarik Muharemović with an impressive palm‑handed block. The match featured several moments that were reviewed by VAR.
At the 17th minute, a long throw from Ola Aina found Jesus, who headed toward goal, but Trafford made a smart reflex save. A few minutes later VAR examined a challenge by Aina on James Justin; the referee issued a yellow card but allowed play to continue. Later, Harry Wilson’s tap‑in from a Jayden Bogle cross was ruled out for off‑side, and Dominic Calvert‑Lewin was penalised for a reckless challenge on James McAtee, receiving a booking. Other highlights included Milenković’s flick onto the far post at the 40th minute, only for Trafford to deny Jesus from close range, and a spectacular save by Sels at the 69th minute, denying Muharemović inside the box.
The decisive moment arrived in the 88th minute when Stach curled a very wide free‑kick into the near post, beating Sels and sending the Leeds fans into raptures. Leeds manager Daniel Farke praised Stach in his post‑match interview with Sky Sports. He noted that the midfielder’s summer had been challenging – missing a call‑up for Germany, suffering an injury on the final matchday, and enduring a difficult pre‑season. Farke said Stach’s form had improved over the last ten days, culminating in the winning goal.
He reminded everyone that Leeds still have a long road ahead, targeting 40 points to secure their Premier League status, and urged humility and patience as the club strives to re‑establish itself at the top level. Oliver Glasner, Forest’s head coach, reflected on the narrow defeat. He described the game as “very tight” with few opportunities, all stemming from set pieces. Glasner admitted that the free‑kick was the decisive factor and expressed disappointment, noting that his side had created a few chances in the second half but failed to capitalise.
He remained optimistic, highlighting the intensity and effort shown by his players, and stressed that the team would learn from the loss as they continue their early‑season journey. Statistically, the match was dominated by set‑piece actions. Both teams had multiple corners, free‑kicks and long throws that generated the majority of shots on target. Leeds’ first shot on target came from Brenden Aaronson, whose effort was saved by Sels.
Forest’s best chance came from Muharemović’s header, which was thwarted by Sels’ remarkable reflex. The result leaves Leeds with three points and a morale boost, while Forest must regroup after a disappointing start to Glasner’s tenure. Both managers emphasised the need for consistency, pointing out that a single goal can swing a match, especially when open‑play chances are scarce. Leeds will look to build on this momentum, while Forest hopes to tighten their defence and improve set‑piece execution in upcoming fixtures.
For fans wanting to relive the action, Premier League highlights are available on the Sky Sports app, and a free‑to‑watch recap can be accessed online. Additionally, a promotional Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £1 million, with free entry for participants.