Oliver Glasner apology, viral celebration & Ethan Ampadu frustration in Leeds United off-camera moments vs Forest — YEP 26/8/26

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By Kyle Newbould

Good day, bad day and off-camera moments from Leeds United’s Carabao Cup win at the City Ground.

Leeds United booked their place in the Carabao Cup third round thanks to Tuesday night’s 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest. Second-half goals from Daniel James and James Justin capped off another solid performance at the City Ground.

Here’s the YEP take...

Good day

Nico Elvedi

As centre-back debuts go, they don’t get much better than that for recent arrival Nico Elvedi. The £8.5m signing has probably spent as much time at the City Ground as Thorp Arch during his first week as a Leeds player and already looks at home in Daniel Farke’s side. Elvedi started between Joe Rodon and Tarik Muharemovic on Tuesday, given the unenviable task of scrapping with Chris Wood. Barring a counter-attack nutmeg, the Leeds defender won that fight and also had the composure to play some lovely passes. Farke nominated Elvedi for Player of the Match and it was as hard to look past the 29-year-old and it was to get past him.

Daniel James

Elvedi was one of six changes from Saturday’s Premier League win with another being the introduction of James at right wing-back. It’s a position in which we’ve seen the Welshman a good few times now and this was probably his best performance there. James was a constant threat in behind and gave Forest full-back Neco Williams a difficult night with his pace and direct running. Crossing was mixed and a good first-half chance missed, but he was there when it mattered to sweep home the opener and get his first Leeds goals since April 2025.

Bad day

Oliver Glasner

‘Can we play you every week?’ sang the City Ground away end at 2-0 up and Oliver Glasner must be sick of the sight of Leeds. As Crystal Palace boss last season, he was thumped 4-1 at Elland Road and failed to break down a 10-man Whites side at Selhurst Park. In two competitive games as Forest boss, he’s lost twice to the Whites and failed to see his side score. There were some very audible boos at full-time and while fiery owner Evangelos Marinakis wasn’t spotted on the night, he will certainly have been watching.

Off-camera moments

Stuart Dallas having a quick pitchside catch up with some of the Leeds media team ahead of kick-off. Dallas was appearing as a pundit on ITV’s coverage of the game.

James Trafford, out to warm up around an hour before kick-off, clapping the 50 or so Leeds fans already at their seats.

Tarik Muharemovic doing a few keepy-ups and around the worlds with ease. These modern centre-backs…

The City Ground DJ going from Underworld’s Born Slippy to Gala’s Freed From Desire and then Insomnia by Faithless in the space of about five minutes just before kick-off. Make your mind up.

Farke and Glasner having a long old chat before kick-off. The Leeds boss was in full winter gear with the big long coat on.

The away end showing their appreciation for Ao Tanaka after two big tackles in as many minutes, first to block an Arnaud Kalimuendo cross and then a big 50-50 in the middle of the park.

A big round of applause from Farke as Muharemovic rifled a ball through the lines and into Okafor, who won a free-kick while holding up play.

Daniel James’ nod to viral new-found Leeds fan Daddy Wellness on Instagram with a ‘Siuuup’ celebration. The American supporter is believed to have been a big hit among the squad and ‘Siuuup’ can be heard regularly at Thorp Arch.

A press box colleague scoffing ‘what is that?’ as Ampadu botched a long throw, only for Forest to fail to clear and Leeds to get their second through Justin. Ampadu himself looked very frustrated with the looping launch but it worked nonetheless.

Chants of England’s No.1 from the away end for James Trafford after full-time and then England’s No.2 for the much-loved Alex Cairns.

Glasner being a little late to his post-match press conference and apologising as he entered. The Forest boss was in the dressing room going over important clips. He must have seen something he really didn’t like.

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