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 then added a 2‑0 win in the League Cup, thanks to goals from Dan James and James Justin. Historically, Leeds had not tasted success at the City Ground since 1972, but the weekend saw them break that long‑standing drought twice in three days, giving the club a promising start to the new season.
The result, however, was not the ideal launch that Forest’s new manager Oliver Glasner had hoped for. The German‑born coach admitted that the team has yet to find its rhythm, even though a £50 million deal for Chelsea striker Liam Delap is already in the pipeline. Both clubs were aware that a quick rematch was unlikely after the opening Premier League fixture, yet the early stages of the cup tie offered some excitement. Forest 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 an Igor Jesus header, preventing an early lead for the visitors. Leeds appeared to be on the verge of breaking the deadlock in the first half when Dan James drifted down the right flank and delivered a pull‑back that fell just behind Sean Longstaff.
Longstaff’s attempt was straight‑on and met by Forest keeper Matz Sels, who comfortably gathered the ball. The game remained tightly contested, with both sides pressing forward. Leeds defender Joe Rodon made a crucial last‑ditch tackle to deny Chris Wood, while Sels also smothered a low effort from James on the opposite end.
The breakthrough finally arrived five minutes after the interval. A wayward header from Ola Aina fell to Longstaff, who surged forward and supplied James with a precise pass.
James calmly slotted the ball past Trafford, giving Leeds the lead. Forest responded quickly; Arnaud Kalimuendo produced a razor‑sharp cut‑back that found Wood in a promising position, but Trafford produced another outstanding save, keeping the ball out of the bottom corner. Noah Okafor then sent a shot wide as Leeds launched a swift counter‑attack. Leeds sealed the victory with about fifteen minutes remaining, though the finish was far from elegant.
Lucas Nmecha’s powerful strike was blocked on the line by Forest defender Williams, and James Justin ultimately tapped the ball home to make the score 2‑0. After the match, Forest manager Oliver Glasner spoke to Sky Sports about the early stage of his tenure.
He reflected that, after six weeks, the club may be ignoring the harsh reality of its recent past. "We are far away from where we want to be," Glasner said, referencing the club’s nine‑month relegation battle last season. He emphasized that blaming anyone would be unproductive and warned against unrealistic expectations, such as expecting European qualification so soon.
"I’m no magician, no messiah – just hard work," he added, urging patience and realism. Leeds head coach 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," Farke said. He praised his players for delivering a "remarkable level of performance" on a notoriously tough ground, noting that winning at Nottingham twice in three days was a significant achievement.
While acknowledging that Saturday’s Premier League game had been tight, he insisted that today's victory was "fully deserved". The win not only advances Leeds in the Carabao Cup but also provides a morale boost after a long period without success at the City Ground. For Forest, the defeat underscores the challenges facing Glasner as he attempts to rebuild a squad that endured a turbulent, near‑relegation season.
The upcoming weeks will be crucial for both clubs: Leeds will look to maintain momentum in the cup, while Forest must address defensive frailties and integrate new signings like Delap to realize any ambitions beyond mere survival. Overall, the match showcased disciplined defending, timely attacking runs, and the importance of capitalising on limited chances.
Leeds’ ability to convert their opportunities, combined with solid defensive work, proved decisive. Forest, despite moments of promise, were unable to overturn the deficit, highlighting the fine margins that often decide cup ties. The result sets the stage for an intriguing continuation of the Carabao Cup, with Leeds now poised to test their mettle against higher‑profile opposition in the next round.