Leeds United celebrated a second triumph at Nottingham Forest in just a three‑day span, clinching a place in the third round of the Caraboo Cup. Under the guidance of Daniel Farke, the Yorkshire side collected all three points on Saturday, edging the League Cup match 2‑0 thanks to strikes from Dan James and James Justin. The win was especially sweet because Leeds had not tasted success at the City Ground since 1972. To achieve two victories there within 72 hours marks a historic turnaround and gives the club a confident start to the new season.
For Forest, the result was far from the ideal debut that new manager Oliver Glasner hoped for. The team is still searching for cohesion, although the club has already signalled ambition by agreeing a £50 million fee for Chelsea forward Liam Delap. Both clubs were likely relieved not to face an immediate rematch after the Premier League opener earlier in the week. Forest did show flashes of promise early on; in the 10th minute goalkeeper James Trafford was forced into a spectacular save after Ola Aina’s cross‑shot threatened to catch him off‑balance.
Shortly thereafter, James Justin was perfectly positioned to block a header from Igor Jesus, keeping the score level. Leeds had the chance to open the scoring midway through the first half when Dan James drove down the right flank and delivered a low pull‑back that fell just behind Sean Longstaff. Longstaff’s effort, however, was straight‑on to Forest keeper Matz Sels. The game remained tightly contested, with both sides creating chances.
Leeds defender Joe Rodon produced a last‑ditch tackle to deny Chris Wood, while Sels saved a low shot from James on the opposite end. The deadlock finally broke five minutes after the restart. A wayward header from Ola Aina fell to Longstaff, who surged forward and laid the ball off to James. James timed his run perfectly and clipped the ball into the net, giving Leeds a 1‑0 lead.
Forest responded quickly. Arnaud Kalimuendo cut the ball back into the box, finding Wood in a promising position. Trafford once again rose to the occasion, parrying the effort away from the bottom corner.
A subsequent attempt by Noah Okafor drifted wide as Leeds launched a swift counter‑attack. Leeds sealed the victory with about fifteen minutes remaining, though the finish was not particularly elegant.
Lucas Nmecha’s powerful strike was blocked on the line by Forest defender Williams, and James Justin ultimately slotted the rebound home to make it 2‑0. After the match, Forest manager Oliver Glasner spoke candidly to Sky Sports: "After six weeks here, I think we’re still ignoring the reality of where we stand. We are far from the level we aspire to, and that’s the honest assessment.
The club endured a nine‑month relegation battle last season – a turbulent period that ended only after a massive effort to stay up. That experience is our starting point now. It’s crucial not to point fingers. Some people hear facts and think I’m complaining, but the truth is we can’t expect European qualification after just six weeks.
I’m no magician, no messiah – it’s hard work that will get us forward. Dreaming about a seventh‑place finish two years ago is unrealistic if we ignore the current reality." Leeds boss Daniel Farke also addressed the media: "Our objective was clear – we wanted to progress in the cup, and we achieved that.
The performance was outstanding, especially given how long it’s been since we won at Nottingham. To do it twice in three days at such a challenging venue speaks volumes about the team’s character. Saturday’s game was tight, but today’s win was unquestionably deserved." The victory not only advances Leeds in the Carabao Cup but also provides a morale boost ahead of their Premier League fixtures. For Forest, the defeat underscores the work that lies ahead for Glasner as he attempts to reshape a side that has just emerged from a relegation scrap.
With a significant investment in new talent looming, the upcoming weeks will be pivotal in determining whether Forest can close the gap to Leeds and other early‑season frontrunners. Leeds will now turn their attention to the next round of the competition, hoping to maintain the momentum generated by back‑to‑back wins at a historically hostile venue. Their fans will be eager to see if the team can replicate this form in the league, while Forest supporters will be looking for signs of improvement as the new manager continues to implement his ideas.
Overall, the match highlighted the fine margins that separate success from disappointment in cup football. A combination of disciplined defending, timely goals, and a bit of luck allowed Leeds to secure a vital win, while Forest will need to regroup quickly, address defensive lapses, and integrate upcoming signings to mount a credible challenge for the rest of the season.