Premier League
Leeds United 3 (Bogle 26′, Okafor 30′, Calvert-Lewin 49′)
Nottingham Forest 1 (Luca 86′)
leeds: Darlot (GK), Bogle (Bornau 90+6′), Gudmundsson, Ampadu (center), Struik, Rodon, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson (James 78′), Okafor (Longstaff 82′), Justin, Gruev. Substitute not used: Perry (GK), Piroet, Enmecha, Bjorn, Tanaka, Genonto.
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forest: Ortega (goalkeeper), Morato, Sangare, Hudson-Odoi (Ndoye 67′), Anderson, Gibbs-White (center) (Yates 67′), Dominguez (Hutchinson 54′), Jesus (Luka 54′), Milenkovic, Aina, Abbott (Nates 76′). Substitute not used: Gunn (GK), Awoniyi, Cunha, McCarty.
site: Elland Road
Attendance: 36,835
referee: Peter Banks
Booked: Okafor (Leeds United) Sangare (Forest)
Leeds United kicked off the weekend with a superb home win under the lights at Elland Road, beating Nottingham Forest 3-1 thanks to goals from Jayden Bogle, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
On the first night of a busy February schedule, Daniel Farke made one change to the lineup from the previous game, with Okafor returning to the lineup to replace the injured Anton Stacher. The Whites’ bench has also been strengthened with the return of Daniel James, Jaka Bjorn and Lucas Nmecha.
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The game started at a rainy and noisy Elland Road and Leeds were attacking from the start! Gabriel Gudmundsson plundered from the left and crossed the ball into the box to Brenden Aaronson, whose audacious shot was blocked by Morato.
The Sweden international again burst in from the flank and saw his cross deflected into another corner by Zach Abbott, inches from the post.
It was Okafor’s turn to make a tantalizing pass, this time cleared by Ola Aina. At the other end, Callum Hudson-Odoi delivered a tame first-time effort for Forest that was easily collected by Karl Darlow.
The Wales international was called upon again when Nicolás Domingos latched on to the ball in the Whites penalty area, stretching out to curl the winger’s shot around the post.
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From another corner won by Gudmundsson, James Justin passed the ball to the back post and Calvert-Lewin’s header went high, although the England international’s header hit the underside of the crossbar.
Not long after, the white team found a winning start! Ilia Gruev found Bogle’s run in his own half and cleverly passed the ball over the top of the goal. The full-back coolly and coolly gets past Stefan Ortega!
A few minutes later, Manchester United scored again! Aaronson drove down the flank and found Justin. When his first shot was blocked, the defender reacted quickly and grabbed the rebound to find Okafor, giving the home team a two-goal tie!
From there the Whites’ backline held firm as Forest looked to find their way back into the game, frustrating the visitors until Darlow was called on to parry Morgan Gibbs-White’s shot towards the end of the first half.
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Half-time: Leeds United 2-0 Nottingham Forest
There was no change at half-time and Leeds started the second half much as they had done in the first. Gruev and Bogle teamed up to find Okafor on the edge of the penalty area. Although Okafor’s shot was blocked by the red shirt, the Bulgarian once again received the ball on the edge of the penalty area.
He cut a perfect cross into the middle and Calvert-Lewin stooped to creatively slot the ball behind Ortega to the delight of Elland Road!
It was Leeds United all over the pitch, with the Whites occupying possession, pressing high up the pitch, and almost scoring a fourth goal through multiple crosses and through balls.
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After Okafor’s latest link-up with Gruyev, Leeds’ No.9 again pounced on the ball into the penalty area, but it was blocked by the visitors before the England international could turn and shoot.
James, who came on as a substitute, almost scored after returning from injury. He broke through the right wing and shot slightly wide from a small angle.
The visitors did find a consolation goal when Lorenzo Luca headed home as time expired. But Manchester United, eager to get the key three points, was not intimidated and maintained strong energy and resolute defense.
In the final minute, Darlow reacted brilliantly to tip Ibrahim Sangare’s shot over the bar, and that was it! The referee blew the whistle to seal another memorable victory for Leeds United under the lights.
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After a fourth home win in their last seven meetings at Elland Road, attention now turns to Tuesday night when the Whites travel to west London to face Chelsea.
Full match: Leeds United 3-1 Nottingham Forest
