Anton Stach delivered a dramatic, match‑winning free‑kick in the dying minutes, ensuring Leeds walked away with all three points as Oliver Glasner suffered his inaugural Premier League defeat in charge of Nottingham Forest, succumbing to a 1-0 loss at the City Ground. As the clock ticked towards the final whistle, the encounter appeared destined to end in a goalless 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 unleashed a powerful, curling strike that slipped through a narrow gap at the near post, leaving Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels rooted to the spot.
The shot was precise, powerful and timed perfectly, catching Sels completely off balance and sealing the win for the Whites. Sels will now have to review his positioning and footwork, as his lapse proved costly. The Belgian keeper’s error underscores how a single moment of misjudgment can swing the result of a tightly contested match. The game had been dominated by set‑piece opportunities from the outset.
In the first half, Igor Jesus created two notable chances with his aerial prowess – the first saved by Leeds keeper James Trafford, and the second a headed effort that drifted harmlessly over the bar shortly after the interval. Nikola Milenković forced a post‑strike for Forest, while substitute Chris Wood, after coming on, mis‑fired a promising opening that drifted wide. The most spectacular defensive effort, however, came from Sels himself when he denied Tarik Muharemović with a fingertip save, pulling the ball away from a headed attempt inside the box.
Despite these moments, the match remained tightly balanced, with both managers emphasizing the importance of capitalising on limited chances. Oliver Glasner’s tenure at Forest began on a painful note, but his post‑match comments reflected a measured optimism.
He noted that every genuine opportunity in the game stemmed from a set‑piece and that the outcome could have swung either way. "It was a very tight game, very few chances.
Every chance was from set pieces. It was clear one situation would decide the game or it's 0‑0," Glasner told Sky Sports. He added that Leeds' free‑kick specialist, Stach, was the decisive factor and expressed disappointment that his own side could not defend that moment.
Glasner also highlighted the second‑half dynamics, stating that Forest had improved their performance, spending more time in Leeds' half and creating a handful of scoring chances, albeit none that materialised. He praised his squad's intensity and hard work, insisting that the defeat offered valuable lessons and that the team would continue to build on the encouraging signs he observed. Leeds manager Daniel Farke also praised Stach’s contribution, acknowledging the midfielder’s challenging summer.
"I'm delighted with Stach. The summer was not the easiest for him. He didn't get the call‑up for Germany, then he was out with injury on the last game day. He had a tricky pre‑season and wasn't top‑class in the first weeks, but I got the feeling in the last 10 days that he was getting better in the final games.
He got the edge to start and when you're there with the decisive goal, it's good," Farke explained. Farke reminded everyone that Leeds still have a long journey ahead, needing to accumulate around 40 points to secure safety. He invoked the club’s historic past, noting that the last time Leeds enjoyed two consecutive solid seasons in the top flight was captured only in black‑and‑white photographs, long before smartphones existed. "We stay humble, not too greedy and stay grounded.
We know first and foremost we have to earn the right to establish ourselves in the Premier League," he concluded. Key moments of the match, as highlighted in the broadcast, included: - 17': A superb save from James Trafford after Igor Jesus headed Ola Aina's long throw on target.
- 18': VAR review of an Aina challenge on James Justin, resulting in only a yellow card for the Forest defender. - 25': Harry Wilson’s goal disallowed for offside after tapping in Jayden Bogle’s cross, with the ball having been played back to Dominic Calvert‑Lewin who was onside. - 32': VAR intervened on Calvert‑Lewin’s high challenge on James McAtee, issuing a reckless‑play booking.
- 40': Nikola Milenković flicked a James McAtee cross onto the far post, only for Trafford to deny Igor Jesus from close range. - 47': Leeds’ first shot on target came from Brenden Aaronson, cut inside and saved by Sels.
- 54': Jesus headed over from a promising position inside the box after Aina’s hanging cross. - 64': Chris Wood, four minutes after his introduction, shot wide after being set up by Murillo. - 69': A spectacular reflex save from Sels denied Tarik Muharemović inside the penalty area. - 88': The decisive moment – Stach curled a very wide free‑kick into the near post, clinching the victory.
The match report also reminded fans of the ability to watch Premier League highlights for free and to stream games via the Sky Sports app. In addition, a promotional note invited viewers to participate in the "Super 6" competition for a chance to win £1 million, emphasizing that entry was free. Overall, the encounter was a textbook example of how a single set‑piece can dictate the outcome in a game where open‑play chances are scarce.
Leeds capitalised on their specialist’s skill, while Forest will need to regroup, address the defensive lapse that allowed the free‑kick, and look to bounce back in their next fixture as they continue their quest to climb out of the relegation zone.