Leeds United celebrated a second triumph at Nottingham Forest in just a three‑day span, 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 especially sweet because Leeds had not tasted success at the City Ground since 1972. In a remarkable turnaround, they have now conquered the venue twice in a single weekend, giving the club a confident start to the new season.
For Forest, the result was far from the ideal beginning that new manager Oliver Glasner had hoped for. The team still appears to be finding its rhythm, although the club has already signalled ambition by agreeing a £50 million deal for Chelsea striker Liam Delap, which could bolster the attack in the coming weeks.
Both managers were aware that a quick rematch after the Premier League opener would be a tough test, but the match still delivered plenty of drama. Early on, Forest showed promise when James Trafford was forced into an impressive save in the 10th minute, denying an Ola Aina cross‑shot that threatened to catch him off‑balance.
Leeds responded swiftly. James Justin was perfectly positioned to clear a headed attempt from Igor Jesus, keeping the score level. Later, James had a chance to put Leeds ahead midway through the first half after cutting in from the right, but his pass fell just behind Sean Longstaff, whose shot was straight at goalkeeper Matz Sels. The game remained tightly contested, with both sides creating opportunities.
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 deadlock was finally broken five minutes after the restart. A wayward header from Ola Aina allowed Longstaff to surge forward, delivering a perfect ball to James, who calmly slotted it home to give Leeds the lead.
Forest nearly equalised when Arnaud Kalimuendo produced a precise cut‑back for Wood, but Trafford once again shone, parrying the shot away from the bottom corner. Shortly after, Noah Okafor struck a shot that drifted just wide as Leeds launched a rapid counter‑attack.
Leeds sealed the victory with about fifteen minutes remaining, though the finish was far from graceful. Lucas Nmecha’s effort was blocked on the line by Williams, and James Justin eventually tapped the ball into the net to make the score 2‑0. After the match, Forest boss Oliver Glasner spoke to Sky Sports about the early stage of his tenure. He admitted that, after six weeks, the club may be ignoring some harsh realities.
"We are far away from where we want to be," Glasner said, reflecting on the previous season’s nine‑month relegation battle and the effort required to stay up. He emphasized that blaming anyone would be unproductive, noting that expectations of immediate European qualification are unrealistic. "I’m no magician, no messiah, just hard work," he added, urging patience and realism.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke also addressed the media, expressing satisfaction with his team’s performance. "This is what we came for, and this was my main goal," he said. He praised the squad for delivering a long‑awaited win at Nottingham and for replicating that success twice in three days on such a challenging ground.
"Saturday was a tight game, but today there is no doubt it was a fully deserved win," Farke concluded. The victory not only advances Leeds in the Carabao Cup but also reinforces their early season momentum. With confidence building under Farke’s leadership, the team will look to maintain this form in upcoming league fixtures. Meanwhile, Forest must regroup, integrate new signings like the soon‑to‑arrive Liam Delap, and address the gaps highlighted by Glasner’s candid assessment.
Both clubs now face the task of balancing cup ambitions with the grind of the Premier League, a challenge that will test squad depth and tactical flexibility. For Leeds, the focus will be on translating cup success into consistent league performances, while Forest aims to stabilize under Glasner, turning the lessons from this early setback into a platform for improvement. Fans of both sides will be watching closely as the season unfolds, hoping that Leeds can continue their winning ways and that Forest can find the resilience needed to climb out of the early‑season dip.
The Carabao Cup provides an additional avenue for glory, and both managers have indicated that they view the competition as a valuable opportunity to build confidence and test squad rotations. As the campaign progresses, the narrative of Leeds’ resurgence and Forest’s rebuilding under Glasner will develop, offering plenty of storylines for supporters and neutral observers alike. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether Leeds can sustain their early momentum and whether Forest can reverse their fortunes before the league’s demanding schedule fully sets in.