Nottingham Forest 0-2 Leeds United

                                                         James 50'

                                                         Justin 75'                     

When the fixtures for the Carabao Cup 2^nd round were drawn, both Forest and Leeds fans would’ve hoped to visit Crewe or maybe Fleetwood. Instead, they drew each other. Both sides would’ve groaned; the only all Premier League tie of the round and a repetition of their opening game of the season, just 3 days later.

On Saturday, Leeds had their first visit of the week to the City Ground, as the 2026/27 Premier League season kicked off. After the game looked set to end 0-0, the visitors snatched it late on thanks to a Stach free kick. This meant Glasner became the 7th straight permanent Forest boss to lose his first Premier League game in charge of the club. In hope of a better result tonight, he made 5 changes to his side, handing new signings Ousmane Diomande and Xaver Schlager their full Forest debuts. As for Farke, he also made 5 changes to his starting XI, allowing for slight rotation. Last season, Forest couldn’t make it past the 3^rd round as they threw away a 2 goal lead at Swansea. Leeds also bowed out of the first round they entered in, losing on penalties to Sheffield Wednesday in the 2^nd round. Would the Reds get revenge or would Leeds earn back-to-back victories?

Just like it was on the weekend, the game started off slow and neither side could sustain a real attacking spell. Leeds were the better side in possession as Forest were misplacing passes and not looking after the ball. Forest did create a decent opportunity as they built the play from the back before Jesus and Dominguez linked up well in the middle of the park. Aina had made a darting run down the right which was spotted by latter. The Nigerian looked to cross the ball in first time where Wood was waiting but he slipped and the move ended up as a shot. It almost caught Trafford out but the ‘keeper got across to parry it behind.

There was a theme of Leeds getting forward through fast breaks, especially via Dan James who was getting the better of both Williams and Cunha; their best chance of the half came through this. Tanaka played the ball to James who made the run down the right and broke into the box. The Welshman took on the shot from a tight angle which forced Sels into a save. Unfortunately for the ‘keeper, he had parried it straight back to James. He found Nmecha in a more central position where the striker attempted a first time back heel into the bottom left corner. Forest could breathe a sigh of relief as this rolled just wide.

Forest seemed to settle better into the second half but another example of not looking after the ball had finally cost them. Diomande played a long ball to Kalimuendo, looking to get the hosts up the pitch. The Frenchman headed it back, hoping one of his teammates would pick up the ball but instead Longstaff ran onto it deep into the Forest half. James had already made an unmarked run into the box which was found by Longstaff. He took a touch before lifting it over Sels and into the net.

Just minutes later, the Reds had a brilliant opportunity to level themselves. Bright spark on the night, Kalimuendo got the better of Muharemovic, breaking down the right. He delivered a low cross into the box where Wood was waiting. He took the shot first time, aiming for the bottom right corner but Trafford got down well to make the save. Had the Kiwi gone the other way, he probably would’ve scored. Ampadu picked up the ball from Trafford’s save, looking to break on the counter. He found Nmecha, who turned past Cunha and broke into the Forest half. He played the ball across to the left where Okafor was making an unmarked run. The winger cut inside into the box and fired a shot at goal which whistled narrowly wide of the right post.

Forest had no answers and with 15 minutes to go, the visitors doubled their lead. Ampadu launched in a long throw from the right, deep into the Reds’ half. No one could make clear contact at the near post as the ball bounced around in the area. Muharemovic made the first real contact, flicking on a header towards the far post. Sels didn’t come to collect the ball that bounced in his 6 yard box, allowing Nmecha to make a challenge and try to poke the ball over the line with an outstretched leg. His effort hit the lying Williams on the line but Justin was the fastest body to react, getting there and making sure the ball had gone fully in before a Forest player could clear.

It was hard to see where Forest were going to find one goal, let alone two. Leeds held onto their 2 goal lead to book their place in the next round where they will face the winner of Chelsea VS Luton. The Reds’ focus will turn to Saturday when they take the trip to Anfield, looking to snatch the three points for the third season in a row, whilst Leeds host Brentford. Forest will be glad they don’t have to see the Yorkshire side until April.

Tuesday night was really disappointing from both aspects. The defending for both goals was extremely poor but we also offered nothing attacking wise. We were just playing it long to Wood who wasn’t winning a ball and then no one picked up the seconds. I just don’t think we are being direct enough and everything seems so slow. Although, I thought Kalimuendo had a good game and looked bright. We are seeing the effects of losing Anderson as we don’t have anyone in that midfield to dictate play. All that said, things under Glasner are not going to be perfect straight away. He had slow starts at both Frankfurt and Palace and things are going to take time; all the meltdowns are unnecessary. Delap has also been announced today, boosting the attack and offering something different.

Forest: Sels; Cunha, Milenkovic, Diomande (Murillo 60’); Williams (Hutchinson 79’), Schlager, Dominguez, Aina (Netz 61’); Kalimuendo (Hudson-Odoi 60’), Igor Jesus; Wood (Ndoye 60’)

Leeds: Trafford; Muharemovic, Elvedi, Rodon; Justin, Tanaka (Stach 68’), Ampadu, James (Bogle 71’); Okafor (Wilson 67’), Longstaff (Aaronson 67’); Nmecha (Calvert-Lewin 83’)