RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Report: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Leeds United
Premier League
Nottingham Forest 0
Leeds United 1 (Stach 88’)
Forest: Sels (GK), Williams, Murillo (Kalimuendo 90’), Sangaré, Gibbs-White (C), Jesus, Ndoye (Wood 62’), Cunha, McAtee (Schlager 74’), Milenkovic, Aina (Netz 74’). Subs not used: Victor (GK), Diomande, Hudson-Odoi, Domínguez, Abott.
Leeds: Trafford (GK), Bogle, Ampadu (C), Muharemović, Rodon, Calvert-Lewin, Wilson (Okafor 65’), Aaronson (Longstaff 82’), Bijol, Stach, Justin. Subs not used: Perri (GK), James, Nmecha, Tanaka, Elvedi, Cresswell, Lienou.
Venue : City Ground | Attendance : 30,739 | Referee : Robert Jones | Booked: Aina, Cunha (Forest) Calvert-Lewin (Leeds)
While it may have been the 2026/27 Premier League season getting underway, there were shades of last campaign towards the end of the curtain raiser as an Anton Stach thunderbolt secured Leeds United an opening day victory over Nottingham Forest.
Like several audacious efforts in the previous term, the Germany international’s sublime free kick sailed into the top corner in the closing stages, handing the Whites the win at the City Ground!
Ahead of kick off in the East Midlands, boss Daniel Farke gave debuts to summer recruits James Trafford, Tarik Muharemović and Harry Wilson, taking the number of players to have represented the club in competitive action to 900!
United had an early opportunity when an Ethan Ampadu long throw was only half dealt with, headed into the path of the eventual matchwinner Stach whose deflected effort forced a necessary save by Matz Sels.
With nearly 20 minutes on the clock, goalkeeper James Trafford, who arrived on a club-record fee from Manchester City, produced a superb save to deny Igor Jesus’ close range header from a Forest set piece.
Leeds had the ball in the back of the net when Wilson flicked a dangerous Jayden Bogle cross home, only for the assistant’s flag to be raised for an offside against the Wales international.
With both sides enjoying spells of possession, the defences had to be alert to prevent either from creating an opportunity. Defenders Jaka Bijol and Joe Rodon proved their worth, making important interceptions when the hosts ventured forward.
Then, a James McAttee delivery into the middle of the Whites penalty area caused chaos, ricochetting off the woodwork before Trafford did brilliantly to block Jesus’ follow up at the back post in the final action of an attritional opening period.
HALF TIME: Nottingham Forest 0-0 Leeds United
Leeds emerged from the break unchanged and were immediately on the front foot when Wilson switched play out to Brenden Aaronson on the left flank. Driving in field, the American international struck from distance, forcing Sels into a save.
Moments later, a deft flick over the top released Dominic Calvert-Lewin though, under pressure from a red shirt and with the angle narrowing, the forward lashed high and wide. From a free kick shortly afterwards, Stach curled a fierce strike just beyond the far post.
Down the other end, quick play released Ola Aina on the right flank who floated an inviting cross into the middle. Jesus rose highest, powering a header down into the ground and over the crossbar.
After the hour mark, a looping Aina throw in fell the way of Morgan Gibbs-White but he volleyed off target before substitute Chris Wood dragged a low shot wide.
A first change in personnel from the United dugout saw Swiss international Noah Okafor introduced into the action, replacing Wilson in a switch up of the forward line.
The attacker was immediately involved, hooking a teasing delivery into the middle. Muharemović would have scored a first competitive goal for his new club with a glancing header, if not for a diving intervention from Sels to gather.
A second substitution saw the hard-working Aaronson make way for Sean Longstaff in a slight change to the system with under 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
The Whites finally got the opening goal of the encounter in stunning fashion through Germany international Stach. Having netted several memorable free kick strikes last campaign, the midfielder opened his account for the new term with a sensational curling effort that flew into the back of the net, sending the 3,000 travelling contingent behind the goal wild!
United’s defence stood firm thereafter, seeing out play until the final whistle sounded. Farke’s men return to the very same ground for Tuesday’s EFL Cup Second Round tie.
FULL TIME: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Leeds United
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