Leeds United celebrated a second triumph at Nottingham Forest in just a 72‑hour span, clinching a 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 for Leeds because they had not tasted success at the City Ground since 1972. Now, within a single weekend, they have managed to win there twice, marking a promising start to their new campaign.
For Forest, however, the result was far from the ideal debut that new manager Oliver Glasner had hoped for. The club is still searching for cohesion, though they have already signalled ambition by agreeing a £50 million deal for Chelsea striker Liam Delap. Both clubs are unlikely to be thrilled about a quick rematch following Saturday’s Premier League opener, but the match still offered moments 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 catch him off‑balance.
Shortly after, James Justin was perfectly positioned to block a header from Igor Jesus, keeping Leeds’ lead intact. Leeds had the chance to go ahead midway through the first half when Dan James drifted down the right flank and delivered a low 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 aggressively.
Leeds defender Joe Rodon made a crucial last‑ditch tackle to deny Chris Wood, while Sels denied James a low effort on the opposite end. After the halftime interval, the Welsh international James James displayed composure. A mis‑directed header from Aina allowed Longstaff to surge forward, and he found James in space.
James calmly clipped the ball into the net, giving Leeds a deserved lead. Forest responded quickly.
Arnaud Kalimuendo produced a precise cut‑back that found Wood in a promising position, but Trafford once again rose to the occasion, smothering the shot that was headed for the bottom corner. Shortly after, Noah Okafor unleashed a strike that drifted just wide as Leeds launched a rapid counter‑attack.
Leeds cemented their victory with about fifteen minutes remaining, though the finish was far from elegant. Lucas Nmecha’s powerful effort was blocked on the line by Forest defender Williams, and James Justin eventually slotted the ball home to make the score 2-0. After the match, Forest manager Oliver Glasner spoke to Sky Sports about the state of the club. He admitted that, six weeks into his tenure, there was a tendency within the organization to overlook harsh realities.
"We are still far from where we want to be," Glasner said, emphasizing that the team had endured a nine‑month relegation battle last season, a turbulent period that ended only after a massive collective effort. He warned against blaming individuals, noting that some players misinterpret his candid assessments as complaints.
"I’m no magician or messiah," he added, "just hard work. If we keep dreaming about seventh place when we’re still rebuilding, we’ll never get there." Leeds manager Daniel Farke also addressed the media, expressing satisfaction with his side’s performance. "This is what we came for – a cup run – and we achieved it," he said.
He praised his players for delivering a remarkable performance at a notoriously tough venue, especially after a long wait for a win at Nottingham. "Saturday was a tight game, but today there’s no doubt it was a fully deserved victory," Farke concluded. 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 season. For Forest, the defeat highlights the challenges that lie ahead for Glasner as he attempts to reshape a club that has just survived a difficult Premier League campaign.
The upcoming weeks will be crucial for both teams: Leeds will look to build on their momentum, while Forest must address defensive frailties and integrate new signings like Delap to raise their ambitions beyond mere survival. Overall, the match showcased the intensity of English cup football, where underdogs can quickly become victors, and where managerial honesty and player resilience are tested on the biggest stages.
The City Ground, once a fortress for Forest, now bears the marks of Leeds’ resurgence, setting the tone for a compelling second half of the season for both clubs.