Leeds strengthen Premier League survival push after beating rivals Nottingham Forest

Leeds enhanced their efforts to remain in the Premier League by securing a crucial 3-1 victory over fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest on Friday.

Daniel Farke's team scored twice within four minutes during the opening half, courtesy of goals from Jayden Bogle and Noah Okafor.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin added Leeds' third goal shortly after the break at Elland Road. Although Lorenzo Lucca scored on his debut late in the game, it offered little comfort to the disappointing Forest side.

This result lifted Leeds nine points above the drop zone.

Forest, currently fourth from the bottom, hold a six-point advantage over third-bottom West Ham, who could narrow that margin with a victory in their key encounter against second-bottom Burnley on Saturday.

Farke had mentioned earlier in the week that achieving 12 points from the last 14 fixtures would likely ensure Leeds steer clear of an instant drop back to the Championship.

This marked their first league win in three outings and represented a significant stride towards that goal.

"We displayed excellent mindset and team spirit. It highlighted our determined side, the battling quality. An ideal performance," Farke commented.

"Elland Road remains a stronghold. Delivering displays like this gives us a solid opportunity to avoid relegation."

Forest's initial loss in five league matches stemmed from their compelled defensive adjustments.

Stefan Ortega, standing in for the injured goalkeeper Matz Sels, appeared in the Premier League for the first time since April 2025, while young right-back Zach Abbott earned his debut top-flight start amid absences of Murillo and Neco Williams.

"We faced unexpected alterations, which is far from ideal. Fundamentals must be executed, yet we fell short," said Forest manager Sean Dyche.

"Those concessions were dreadful by our benchmarks. At this elite level, you cannot afford such opportunities to opponents."

Leeds quickly capitalised on Forest's vulnerabilities, as Calvert-Lewin powered a header from close range off the crossbar, with the ball dropping just shy of the goal line.

Farke's squad did not dwell on that near miss, opening the scoring in the 26th minute.

Bogle timed his run perfectly to latch onto Ilia Gruev's precise lofted ball beyond the Forest backline, maintaining composure to slot a low effort past Ortega into the near corner.

Buoyed by the home crowd, Leeds doubled their advantage merely four minutes afterwards.

James Justin evaded markers within the Forest penalty area, and following Ortega's save on his attempt, he intelligently passed the loose ball to Okafor, who finished from 10 yards.

Calvert-Lewin sealed the outcome in the 49th minute with a smart chest control and finish from Gruev's delivery, directing it beyond Ortega up close for his 10th top-flight strike of the season.

Lucca's deft header from Omari Hutchinson's delivery hinted at the sharpness Forest had missed throughout the prior 85 minutes.