Leeds United celebrated a second triumph at Nottingham Forest in a span of just three days, cementing their place in the third round of the Carabaa Cup. Under the guidance of manager Daniel Farke, the Yorkshire side collected all three Premier League points on Saturday and added a 2-0 win in the cup, thanks to goals from Dan James and James Justin. Historically, Leeds had not won at the City Ground since 1972, but the weekend saw them break that 50‑year drought twice in 72 hours, giving the club an encouraging start to the new season.
For Forest, the result was far from the ideal launch that new manager Oliver Glasner had hoped for, and the team still appears to be searching for cohesion, despite the fact that a £50 million deal for Chelsea striker Liam Delap has already been agreed. Neither side was likely to be thrilled about a potential rematch so soon after the Premier League opener, yet the match offered plenty of drama. Early on, Forest’s goalkeeper James Trafford was forced into a spectacular save in the 10th minute when he had to parry a cross‑shot from Ola Aina that threatened to leave him off balance.
Shortly after, James Justin was perfectly positioned to block Igor Jesus’ header, keeping the score level. Leeds appeared to be on the verge of opening the scoring midway through the first half when Dan James drove down the right flank and delivered a pull‑back that fell just behind Sean Longstaff.
Longstaff’s shot, however, was straight‑on to Forest keeper Matz Sels, who made a comfortable save. Both teams pressed forward, and Leeds defender Joe Rodon made a crucial last‑ditch tackle to deny Chris Wood, while Sels also saved a low effort from James at the opposite end.
The Welsh international James James showed composure after the interval. Ten minutes after play resumed, a wayward header from Aina allowed Longstaff to surge forward and lay the ball off to James, who clipped the ball into the net to give Leeds the lead.
Forest responded quickly; Arnaud Kalimuendo’s cut‑back found Wood in a prime position, but Trafford produced a superb save, keeping the ball out of the bottom corner. Soon after, Noah Okafor struck an effort that drifted just wide as Leeds launched a rapid counter‑attack.
Leeds sealed the victory with about fifteen minutes remaining, though the finish was not particularly elegant. Lucas Nmecha saw his powerful attempt blocked on the line by Forest defender Williams, and James Justin finally slotted the ball home to make the score 2‑0.
After the match, Forest manager Oliver Glasner spoke to Sky Sports, reflecting on his brief tenure: "After six weeks here, I think there’s a tendency within the club to ignore the reality of where we stand. We are far from where we want to be, and that’s the honest assessment.
This team fought a relegation battle for nine months – a turbulent season that ended with a massive effort to stay up. That’s our starting point now.
It’s important not to point fingers; sometimes I give facts and people think I’m complaining. No, I’m not. But expecting us to compete for European places after six weeks is unrealistic.
I’m no magician, no messiah – just hard work. Talking about a seventh‑place finish two years ago is dreaming.
If you ignore reality, you live in a fantasy that never helps anyone." Leeds boss Daniel Farke also addressed Sky Sports, saying: "This is exactly why we’re here – the cup run is our main objective. I’m very pleased with the level of performance.
We waited a long time for a win at Nottingham, and to achieve it twice in three days at such a tough venue is remarkable. Saturday’s game was tight, but today there’s no doubt it was a fully deserved victory." The win not only advances Leeds in the Carabao Cup but also provides a morale boost for a squad that has struggled to find consistency early in the campaign. The victory demonstrates the impact of Farke’s tactical adjustments, particularly the effective use of wing play from James and the defensive solidity offered by Rodon and Justin.
Meanwhile, Forest must regroup quickly, integrating new signings like Delap and solidifying a defensive structure that has shown vulnerability. Looking ahead, Leeds will aim to build on this momentum in the third round, hoping to continue their cup run while also improving their league form. For Forest, the challenge will be to translate the lessons from this defeat into improved performances, both domestically and in future cup fixtures.
The early stages of the season often set the tone, and both clubs now have clear objectives: Leeds to push deeper into the cup and climb the league table, and Forest to stabilize under Glasner’s leadership and avoid repeating past struggles. Fans of both sides will be watching closely as the season unfolds, eager to see whether Leeds can sustain their newfound confidence and whether Forest can overcome a difficult start and fulfill the ambitions that brought Oliver Glasner to the City Ground.