Nottingham Forest 0 Leeds United 2: New face shines, winger impact and goal confusion in Carabao Cup triumph — YEP 25/8/26

By Lee Sobot

Leeds United took on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground again for a place in the Carabao Cup third round.

Leeds United booked their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup as a 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest gave the Whites a second win at the City Ground in the space of four days.

Three days on from Saturday's 1-0 win at the City Ground in their Premier League opener, winger Dan James capped a fine display by scoring the opener in a game in which Nico Elvedi also had a very impressive debut.

There was and still is confusion as to who scored United’s second goal, an Ethan Ampadu long throw flicked on by Tarik Muharemovic to cause chaos at the far post were James Justin appeared to get the last touch in hooking the ball home despite the goal initially being credited as a Neco Williams own goal.

Leeds had a couple of chances to create something in a very uneventful start, Dan James sending in a low cross from the right which was gathered by keeper Matz Sels and an Ethan Ampadu long throw also cleared.

James Trafford, though, had to be alert to prevent a Forest opener in the tenth minute, Ola Aina racing away down the right and looking to catch Trafford out with a shot from range to the near post which Trafford pushed away.

Forest were threatening to get on top and an Igor Jesus header in a crowded box was headed away but James Justin under the far left post although Trafford was on the scene too.

Two fine tackles from Ao Tanaka then set Leeds away on a break through Noah Okafor, the attack ending with Tanaka himself blasting a shot over from the edge of the box.

Tanaka was involved again shortly afterwards as he won the ball before teeing up Sean Longstaff whose cross-cum-shot sailed wide.

Forest were continually giving the ball away and another good cross from James sailed though the box and ultimately away to safety.

And Leeds then squandered a glorious chance to go ahead in the 22nd minute as a brilliant ball from Ethan Ampadu sent James away again, the winger pulling the ball back for Longstaff whose weak shot was saved by Sels.

Leeds were now well on up but Tanaka was then booked for a late challenge on Jesus as Forest looked to break through the middle.

Leeds were soon back on the attack and another brilliant cross flew through the box, this time from Okafor with Nmecha unable to get on the end of it.

But an absolutely superb sliding tackle from Rodon very likely prevented Forest from taking the lead, former Leeds striker Chris Wood sent through one on one but Rodon flying in with a brilliant tackle and celebrating like he had scored a goal.

It was a rare chance for Forest, though, Leeds threatening again shortly afterwards as James again raced away down the right and seeing his low shot saved by Selz, Nmecha's attempt to flick home the rebound drifting wide.

Yet another promising Leeds attack then came to nothing as Nmecha slipped in Tanaka, Nikola Milenkovic's attempt to clear the ball requiring a save from Selz.

Back up the other end, Forest had their first chance for some time as a cross from the left dropped to Aina who walloped a shot over the bar.

A few minutes later, a similar sort of effort from Milenkovic from a free kick that was not properly cleared also flew over.

Leeds ended the half attacking but the half ended goalless with hardly any added time.

Boss Daniel Farke opted against making any changes during the break, after which Leeds were quick into their stride, Tanaka pulled back by Xaver Schalger who was booked.

And Forest were then finally punished for giving the ball away yet again in the 51st minute as United went ahead through James, Longstaff seizing on the ball in an advanced position and slotting in James who produced a neat finish over Sels into the left corner of the net.

Forest though were then only denied an equaliser shortly afterwards by a fantastic save from Trafford to keep out a low drive from Wood, Leeds then going up the other end and squandering a fine chance themselves through Okafor who cut inside and fired over.

Okafor was again threatening soon after, dancing about in the Forest box and laying the ball off to Ampadu who side-footed his shot wide.

Forest's main problem meanwhile was Trafford, substitute Nicolas Dominguez letting fly with a shot from just inside the area which Trafford tipped over the bar.

The hosts were looking better after a quadruple substitution and Farke then made three of them himself as Longstaff, Okafor and Tanaka were replaced by Anton Stach, Harry Wilson and Brenden Aaronson.

With seconds of coming on, Stach let fly with a lovely effort from the edge of the ball which flew just wide of the top left corner. A few minutes later, another change followed as Jayden Bogle replaced goalscorer James.

Leeds were pushing for a second goal and a strike from Ampadu took a deflection behind for a corner.

But an Ampadu long throw shortly afterwards led to the Whites doubling their lead through Justin who scrambled the ball home at the far post after a flick on from Tarik Muharemovic to the Ampadu long throw.

There was no let up from an impressive Leeds side who then looked for a third goal, boss Farke sending on Dominic Calvert-Lewin for Nmecha with seven minutes left.

Forest were given six minutes of added time to find a way back but the Leeds defence and Trafford were not for passing, Leeds even having a chance to bag a third through Calvert-Lewin who raced through but saw his shot saved.