Leeds United celebrated a second triumph at Nottingham Forest in just three days, confirming their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup. Under the guidance of Daniel Farke, the Yorkshire side collected all three Premier League points on Saturday and followed that up with a 2-0 win in the League Cup, thanks to goals from Dan James and James Justin. The win was particularly significant because Leeds had not tasted success at the City Ground since 1972. To achieve two victories there in a span of 72 hours marked an impressive start to the new season for the club.

For Forest, the result was far from the ideal beginning that new manager Oliver Glasner had hoped for. The team is still searching for its rhythm, although the club has already signalled its intent to strengthen the squad with a £50 million agreement for Chelsea striker Liam Delap.

Both clubs were unlikely to be thrilled about the prospect of a quick rematch following the Premier League opener, but the match still offered moments of excitement. Early on, Forest’s goalkeeper James Trafford was forced into a spectacular save in the 10th minute when he had to react to a cross‑shot from Ola Aina that threatened to catch him off‑balance. Shortly after, James Justin was in the right place to block Igor Jesus’s headed attempt.

Leeds had an early chance to take the lead midway through the first half when Dan James drifted down the right flank and delivered a pass that fell just behind Sean Longstaff. Longstaff’s shot, however, was straight at Forest keeper Matz Sels.

The game remained tightly contested, with both sides pressing forward. Leeds defender Joe Rodon made a crucial last‑ditch tackle to deny Chris Wood, while Sels saved a low effort from James on the opposite end. The Welsh international displayed composure shortly after the restart. Aina’s mis‑directed header allowed Longstaff to surge forward, and he set up James, who calmly slotted the ball home to give Leeds the lead.

Forest responded quickly; Arnaud Kalimuendo’s cut‑back found Wood in a promising position, but Trafford made a superb save to keep the ball out of the bottom corner. Noah Okafor then unleashed a shot that drifted wide as Leeds launched a rapid counter‑attack.

Leeds sealed the win with fifteen minutes to go, although the finish was far from elegant. Lucas Nmecha’s effort was blocked on the line by Forest defender Williams, and James Justin eventually tapped the ball into the net to make it 2‑0.

After the match, Forest manager Oliver Glasner spoke to Sky Sports, reflecting on his short tenure: "After six weeks here, I think there’s a tendency – not just among the players but across the club – to ignore the reality of where we stand. We are far from where we want to be, and I’m convinced we can get there, but we must face facts.

This team fought a nine‑month relegation battle last season, a turbulent campaign that ended with a massive effort to stay up. That experience is our starting point now.

It’s vital not to point fingers. Sometimes I give the facts and people say ‘Glasner is complaining’. No, I’m not.

Yet, when a key midfielder like Elliot Anderson leaves, expectations jump to competing for European places simply because I’m in charge. That’s unrealistic after only six weeks. I’m no magician, no messiah – just hard work.

Talking about a seventh‑place finish two years ago is nonsense; it’s hard, it’s tough, but if we ignore reality we live in a dream that never helps us." Leeds boss Daniel Farke also addressed Sky Sports, emphasizing his satisfaction with the performance: "This is what we set out to achieve, and it was my primary goal. You enter a cup competition to progress, and I’m delighted with the level we displayed. We had to wait a long time for a win at Nottingham, and to do it twice within three days on such a demanding ground is remarkable. Saturday’s game was tight, but today there’s no doubt it was a fully deserved victory." The win not only propels Leeds further in the Carabao Cup but also sends a strong message about their early-season ambitions.

Meanwhile, Forest must regroup quickly, address defensive frailties, and integrate new signings like Delap to turn their fortunes around. The upcoming fixtures will be crucial for both clubs as they seek to build momentum and achieve their respective goals for the season. For fans eager to catch more action, Sky Sports offers live Premier League coverage via its app, and highlights are available for free online. Additionally, a Super 6 competition promises a chance to win £1 million, with free entry for those who want to try their luck.