Leeds United celebrated a second triumph at Nottingham Forest in just a three‑day span, clinching a place in the third round of the Carabao Cup. Under the guidance of Daniel Farke, the Yorkshire side collected three valuable points on Saturday, edging the League Cup encounter 2-0 thanks to goals from Dan James and James Justin. Historically, Leeds had not tasted success at the City Ground since 1972. Yet the weekend saw them overturn that long‑standing drought twice in 72 hours, marking an encouraging start to their new campaign.
For Forest, the result was far from the optimistic beginning that new manager Oliver Glasner hoped for. While the club is busy working on reinforcements – a £50 million agreement for Chelsea forward Liam Delap has already been announced – the team still appears to be searching for its footing.
Both clubs were unlikely to relish the idea of a rapid rematch following the Premier League opener earlier in the week. Still, Forest showed early promise when goalkeeper James Trafford was forced into a spectacular save in the 10th minute, denying a cross‑shot from Ola Aina that threatened to catch him off‑balance. Shortly after, James Justin was perfectly positioned to clear a header from Igor Jesus, keeping the scores level.
Leeds appeared ready to take the lead midway through the first half. Dan James drifted down the right flank and delivered a pull‑back that fell just behind Sean Longstaff.
Longstaff’s subsequent effort was straight‑on for Forest keeper Matz Sels, who comfortably collected the ball. The match remained tightly contested, with both sides pressing forward. Leeds defender Joe Rodon made a crucial last‑ditch tackle to stop Chris Wood, while Sels produced a fine save to deny James a low‑driven effort on the opposite end. The deadlock was finally broken five minutes after the interval.
A wayward header from Ola Aina fell to Longstaff, who surged forward and slipped the ball to Dan James. James calmly clipped the ball past Sels, giving Leeds a 1‑0 lead. Forest responded quickly; Arnaud Kalimuendo produced a razor‑sharp cut‑back that found Wood in a promising position.
However, Trafford once again rose to the occasion, parrying the shot away from the bottom corner. A subsequent attempt from Noah Okafor drifted wide as Leeds launched a swift counter‑attack.
Leeds’ second goal arrived with about fifteen minutes remaining, though it was far from a picture‑perfect finish. Lucas Nmecha’s powerful effort was blocked on the line by Forest defender Williams, but James Justin was quick to react, slotting the rebound home to make it 2‑0. The result cemented Leeds’ victory and secured their progression in the competition. After the match, Forest manager Oliver Glasner addressed Sky Sports, offering a candid assessment of his early tenure.
He reflected, "After six weeks here, I think the club may be ignoring the reality of where we stand. We are far from where we want to be, and that is the starting point for us. The team endured a nine‑month relegation battle last season – a turbulent period that ended with a massive effort to stay up.
That experience shapes our present reality." Glasner continued, "It’s important not to blame anyone. Sometimes I present facts and people think I’m complaining, but the truth is we cannot expect European qualification after just six weeks. I’m no magician or messiah; it will take hard work.
Talking about seventh place two years ago is unrealistic – we must face reality instead of living in a dreamland." Leeds boss Daniel Farke also spoke to Sky Sports, emphasizing the significance of the win. "This is what we came for – a cup run. I’m very pleased with the performance level.
We had to wait a long time for a win at Nottingham, and to achieve it twice in three days on such a tough ground is remarkable. Saturday was a tight game, but today there was no doubt that the victory was fully deserved," he said.
The win not only adds momentum to Leeds’ cup ambitions but also highlights the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs. While Leeds can build on this confidence as they head into the next round, Forest must regroup, address defensive frailties, and integrate new signings like Delap to lift the squad out of its early‑season slump.
Overall, the fixture showcased the intensity of English cup football, where historic venues and long‑standing rivalries intersect with the ambitions of emerging managers. Leeds United’s ability to break a 52‑year winless streak at the City Ground – and then repeat the feat within a single weekend – underscores a resurgence that their supporters will relish. Meanwhile, Oliver Glasner’s transparent appraisal sets a realistic tone for Forest’s rebuilding process, reminding fans that patience and hard work will be essential to restore the club’s standing.
As the Carabao Cup progresses, both teams will look to refine their tactics and squad depth. Leeds will aim to capitalize on their current form, while Forest hopes that forthcoming signings and a clearer strategic vision will translate into improved performances in the weeks ahead.