Key stats
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored 10 goals in the Premier League this season (1 in this game), more than any other Leeds United player
- Ilia Gruev has assisted 3 goals in the Premier League this season (2 in this game), no Leeds United player has more
- Karl Darlow made 5 saves in this match, the first time he has made at least 5 saves in a game in the Premier League since facing Wolverhampton Wanderers on 20th September 2025 (5 saves)
Highlights
Match report
Clearly keen to avenge a 4-0 defeat to Arsenal here last time out, Leeds used the left side to their advantage in the opening minutes.
Gabriel Gudmundsson had multiple forays forward, with his crosses creating danger each time, while Noah Okafor’s delivery from the same side could easily have been diverted in at either the near or far post.
Forest started to have some success after that, with Nicolás Domínguez testing Karl Darlow and Igor Jesus heading just wide, but the upper hand was soon back with the hosts.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin rattled the bar with a powerful header, but his side only had to wait a couple more minutes to hit a deserved opener.
Ilia Gruev’s long ball dropped perfectly ahead of the defence for Jayden Bogle, who took it on first time to cheekily slot into the near corner.
And Elland Road was truly bouncing when their side doubled their advantage just minutes later, as James Justin burst into the area and had two attempts at playing it across, the second of which found Okafor for a simple tap-in.
There was a short resurgence from Forest ahead of the break, but the deal was sealed just a few minutes into the second half when Gruev’s ball to the near post was inventively chested in by Calvert-Lewin.
The Whites remained in total control after that third goal, and Stefan Ortega was forced into making more saves to prevent a nightmare debut from getting even worse.
Forest did have a couple of chances late on, but even when Lorenzo Lucca rose highest to head Omari Hutchinson’s cross into the net, the debutant knew it was too little, too late.
This vital result against a direct rival places Leeds on the same points total as the likes of Tottenham and Crystal Palace, and may see them break out of the relegation conversation.
The same can’t quite be said for Forest, who see a four-match unbeaten league run evaporate and will certainly be hoping West Ham can’t close the gap to three points this weekend.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ilia Gruev (Leeds United)
