Leeds United 3 Nottingham Forest 1 – under the lights. As the storm drenched the stadium, chaos reigned on the pitch. With Leeds either running amok or Forest counter-attacking. But it was Leeds who turned their chances into goals and played with confidence going forward.
There is something about Leeds playing at home under the lights that has propelled them through the season. Once Leeds go ahead, they can’t be beaten, and the crowd create a special atmosphere. It was potentially a tricky match for Leeds as both teams were on the same points, hovering above the relegation zone.
Leeds swayed from a dominant first few minutes against Forest, but Forest then took control with a couple of fine saves from Darlow. After Forest failed to make anything of their crosses into the Leeds penalty box, Leeds then turned up the pressure and Calvert-Lewin from a corner had a free header, only to hit the crossbar.
Within the space of four minutes, Leeds were two goals to the good. First, an intelligent long ball from the halfway line found Bogle running into space behind the Forest back line, a single bounce was all it needed for Bogle to beat the keeper. Minutes later, Leeds piled on the pressure in the Forest penalty box with Aarronson finding Justin, who forced a save only to square to a free Okafor to score the second. The pass and move was swift.
After the goals, Forest were back dominant for the final quarter of an hour, beating the Leeds defence to cross the ball into the box, forcing another fine save from Darlow. Maybe we missed Bijol, but the defence looked leaky.
Once Leeds were ahead, the atmosphere in the ground became electric, as Dyche seethed in front of a bouncing stadium. He played all five subs early in the second half, but there was little he could do to stop Bogle and Gudmundsson charging on the wings.
Leeds started the second half with a prolonged period of bullying in the midfield. An early third goal with Calvert -Lewin picking up the cross from Gruev, scoring from his chest. The crowd was buzzing as Leeds passed with confidence – Justin, Bogle and Aaronson were running the show on the right-hand side. The return of Dan James saw him create a couple of dangerous chances.
But Bogle’s prolonged injury brought Forest back into the match. Despite the subs, Leeds lost their momentum and could do little to stop the six-foot-seven giant of Lucca scoring and rubbing out Leeds’ clean sheet. It was a nervous final twenty minutes, including nine minutes’ injury time, as Forest didn’t give up as Leeds looked tired.
Forest have fine players in Anderson, Hudson-Odoye and Gibbs-White whose counter-attacking pace left Leeds three man defence struggling to stop the crosses.
Leeds have now won their last five home games in the evening under the lights. We are now nine clear of West Ham at the top of the relegation zone. Calvert-Lewin picked up his tenth goal of the season. Dan James’ welcome return gives Leeds more firepower on the right.
Gudmundsson was devastating on the left, constantly getting to the byeline to pass the ball into the box. On the other side, Aarronson was busy on the ball winning fouls. All the starting players played as a team tonight. Justin and Gruev were critical behind the front line, contributing to the goals. Gruev’s two assists make him the man of the match.
