Anton Stach delivered a dramatic finish for Leeds United, his powerful free‑kick in the dying minutes clinching a 1‑0 win at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground and handing Oliver Glasner his first Premier League defeat as the Forest manager. As the clock ticked towards the final whistle, the match appeared destined to end in a stalemate. Leeds, known for their proficiency from dead‑ball situations, earned a free‑kick just outside the penalty area.
Stach, the club’s designated set‑piece specialist, stepped up and struck a long‑range effort that slipped through a narrow gap at the near post, leaving Forest keeper Matz Sels stranded. The goal not only broke the deadlock but also underscored the importance of positioning and footwork for a goalkeeper in such high‑pressure moments. The game was largely a battle of set pieces.
Both sides created the majority of their chances from corners, throws and free‑kicks rather than open play. Early in the first half, Igor Jesus rose to meet a cross and headed the ball towards goal, only to be denied by a quick reflex save from James Trafford. Minutes later, Jesus found himself again in a promising aerial duel, but his header drifted over the bar, highlighting the fine margins that defined the contest. Forest had their own moments of near‑misses.
Central defender Nikola Milenković saw a powerful header rebound off the post, while substitute striker Chris Wood, after being introduced to add fresh impetus, slotted a well‑timed pass from Murillo but sent his shot wide of the target. The most notable defensive effort came from Matz Sels, who produced a spectacular hand‑ball save to tip away a dangerous header from Tarik Muharemović, keeping Forest in the game until Stach’s decisive strike. The match also featured several VAR interventions that added to the drama.
A potential handball by Ola Aina on James Justin was reviewed, resulting only in a caution for the Forest defender. Later, a goal by Harry Wilson was ruled out for off‑side after VAR confirmed that the ball had been played by Dominic Calvert‑Lewin, who was in an on‑side position. Calvert‑Lewin himself received a booking after a high challenge on James McAtee was deemed reckless by the officials. Key moments in the timeline included: - 17 minutes: Igor Jesus headed Ola Aina’s long throw towards goal, but James Trafford made a smart save.
- 18 minutes: VAR checked a challenge by Aina on James Justin; the referee issued a yellow card. - 25 minutes: Harry Wilson’s tap‑in from Jayden Bogle’s cross was disallowed for off‑side. - 32 minutes: VAR reviewed Calvert‑Lewin’s challenge on McAtee, resulting in a booking for reckless play.
- 40 minutes: Nikola Milenković flicked a cross onto the far post, only for Trafford to deny Jesus from close range. - 47 minutes: Leeds’ first shot on target, a strike from Brenden Aaronson, was saved by Sels.
- 54 minutes: Igor Jesus headed over from a promising position inside the box. - 64 minutes: Chris Wood, four minutes after coming on, sent a shot wide after a through ball from Murillo. - 69 minutes: Sels produced a spectacular stop to deny Tarik Muharemović inside the penalty area. - 88 minutes: Anton Stach curled a very wide free‑kick into the near post, sealing the win for Leeds.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke praised Stach’s contribution in a post‑match interview with Sky Sports. He noted that the German midfielder’s summer had been challenging – missing a call‑up for the national team, suffering an injury on the final day of the previous season, and experiencing a difficult pre‑season. Despite these setbacks, Farke observed a noticeable improvement in Stach’s form over the last ten days, culminating in the decisive goal. Farke reminded supporters that Leeds still have a long journey ahead, aiming for 40 points to secure their Premier League status, and urged humility and hard work as the club seeks to establish itself at the top level.
Oliver Glasner, Forest’s head coach, reflected on the narrow defeat, emphasizing the scarcity of clear‑cut chances and the reliance on set‑piece situations. He acknowledged that Stach’s free‑kick was a well‑executed strike from a known specialist, making the result disappointing for Forest. Glasner highlighted that his side showed improvement in the second half, creating a few opportunities but ultimately failing to convert them.
He remained optimistic, praising his players’ intensity and commitment, and stressed that the team would learn from the loss as they continue their early season development. The match also featured promotional content, reminding viewers they could watch Premier League highlights for free and access live games via the Sky Sports app. Additionally, a Super 6 competition offering a chance to win £1 million was advertised, encouraging fans to enter at no cost. Overall, the fixture was a textbook example of how a single set‑piece can decide a tightly contested Premier League encounter.
Leeds United capitalized on their dead‑ball expertise, while Nottingham Forest will look to address their defensive lapses and improve conversion of limited chances as they progress through the season.