Leeds United defeated Nottingham Forest 2-0 at the City Ground to reach the third round of the Carabao Cup, securing their second victory at the venue in the space of three days.
Daniel Farke’s side had already taken all three Premier League points from Nottingham Forest on Saturday, and repeated that success in the League Cup thanks to goals from Dan James and James Justin.
Leeds had not won at the City Ground since 1972 before the weekend, but they have now claimed two victories there in just 72 hours. The result continues their winning start to the new campaign, while Forest manager Oliver Glasner is still waiting for his team to find consistency.
Forest have agreed a £50m deal for Chelsea striker Liam Delap, but he has yet to join the club and the hosts again struggled to turn promising moments into goals.
Neither team would have welcomed facing the other so soon after Saturday’s Premier League opener, although Forest began with the greater threat. James Trafford had to make an excellent save in the 10th minute, reacting quickly to keep out Ola Aina’s cross-shot after it appeared to wrong-foot him.
Nottingham Forest went close again when Igor Jesus met a cross with a header, but Justin was well positioned to prevent the ball from reaching the net.
Leeds gradually grew into the match and created their clearest opportunity of the opening period midway through the first half. James broke into space on the right and pulled the ball back, but his pass was fractionally behind Sean Longstaff, whose resulting shot was comfortably saved by Matz Sels.
The game remained open, with both sides willing to attack. Joe Rodon produced a superb last-ditch tackle to deny Chris Wood, while Sels was called upon at the other end to keep out a low effort from James.
Leeds made the breakthrough five minutes after the interval. Aina’s misplaced header allowed Longstaff to advance into space before he released James, who finished with a clipped effort to put the visitors ahead.
Forest almost responded immediately. Arnaud Kalimuendo’s cutback found Wood in a promising position, but Trafford reacted brilliantly to prevent the striker’s effort from finding the bottom corner.
Leeds then threatened on the counter-attack, with Noah Okafor sending a shot narrowly wide as the visitors looked to extend their lead.
The second goal arrived with 15 minutes remaining, although it came in scrappy fashion. Lucas Nmecha appeared to try to claim the finish after his bundled effort was blocked on the line by Williams, but Justin followed up to force the ball into the net.
That goal ended Forest’s hopes of recovering from another defeat by Leeds and ensured Farke’s side progressed to the third round of the Carabao Cup. For Forest, the result added to an unsettled opening under Glasner, with the club still seeking an attacking solution ahead of Delap’s expected arrival.
