Leeds United continued their impressive start to the new campaign with a second successive victory over Nottingham Forest, as goals from Daniel James and Lukas Nmecha secured a 2-0 win at the City Ground and progression to the third round of the EFL Cup.
Just four days after Anton Stach’s spectacular late free-kick had earned Leeds an opening-day Premier League victory at the same venue, Daniel Farke’s side returned to the East Midlands and once again came away with a positive result.
Farke made six changes to the team that started Saturday’s league encounter, with Nico Elvedi handed his Leeds debut at the heart of the defence.
The opening stages were relatively cagey, with neither side able to establish a sustained attacking rhythm.
James Trafford was called into action early on, producing a smart save to deny an awkward Ola Aina delivery that threatened to catch the England international out.
Leeds then had to rely on some excellent defensive work of their own, with James Justin producing a crucial intervention to head Igor Jesus’ goalbound effort off the line.
The Whites soon began to create opportunities at the other end.
Daniel James found space down the right and sent a low delivery towards Nmecha, although the striker was unable to make a clean connection under pressure.
Noah Okafor then carried the ball forward before releasing James once again.
His cross was only partially cleared, falling to Ao Tanaka on the edge of the area, but the midfielder could only volley over the crossbar.
Leeds came even closer when Ethan Ampadu picked out James’ run behind the Forest defence.
The winger raced into the area before cutting the ball back towards Sean Longstaff, whose low effort was comfortably dealt with by Matz Sels.
Forest threatened on the counter shortly afterwards, with Chris Wood seemingly presented with an opportunity to open the scoring.
Joe Rodon, however, produced a superb recovering challenge to deny the experienced striker and earn loud cheers from the travelling supporters.
The game became increasingly open as half-time approached.
James was denied by Sels before Nmecha attempted an audacious flick that narrowly missed the target, leaving the scores level at the interval.
HALF TIME: Nottingham Forest 0-0 Leeds United
Leeds emerged from the break with greater attacking intent and began to dominate possession.
Their pressure was rewarded just five minutes into the second half.
After winning possession back inside the Forest half, Longstaff produced an excellent pass through the hosts’ defence for James to run onto.
The Wales international raced into the penalty area before lifting a composed finish over Sels and into the net to put Leeds ahead.
Forest immediately looked for a response, with Wood testing Trafford with a powerful effort towards the bottom corner.
The Leeds goalkeeper produced an excellent full-stretch save low to his left to preserve his side’s advantage.
The Whites continued to threaten on the break, with Nmecha showing good strength and intelligence to release Okafor.
The Swiss forward cut inside onto his right foot before curling a fierce effort narrowly wide.
Trafford was again called upon just after the hour mark, this time tipping a powerful Nicolás Domínguez strike over the crossbar.
Farke then turned to his bench, introducing Stach, Harry Wilson and Brenden Aaronson for Tanaka, Longstaff and Okafor as Leeds looked to protect their advantage and add a second.
Stach, Saturday’s match-winner, went close to doing so shortly after his introduction, firing a long-range effort wide.
James’ evening was then brought to an end, with Jayden Bogle replacing the goalscorer for the final stages.
With 15 minutes remaining, Leeds finally found their second, although it arrived in unusual circumstances.
Tarik Muharemović did brilliantly to flick an Ampadu long throw towards the back post, where Justin and Nmecha battled to get the final touch.
The ball was eventually scrambled over the line, sending the travelling supporters into celebration once again.
Nmecha was replaced by Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the closing stages, with Leeds comfortably seeing out the remainder of the contest.
The final whistle confirmed a 2-0 victory, completing back-to-back wins over Forest and booking Leeds’ place in the third round of the EFL Cup.
The Whites will now discover their next opponent when the third-round draw takes place at around 10:30pm on Wednesday, August 26.
Leeds have progressed to the third round of the competition for the first time since the 2022/23 campaign, giving Farke’s side another positive result to build on as their new Premier League season gets underway.
FULL TIME: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Leeds United
