Nottm Forest v Leeds
Play By Play
Anton Stach is the hero as Leeds United make a winning start to the new Premier League season, beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground. The midfielder's free-kick secured his side's first top-flight victory at this stadium since the 1971-72 season, while condemning Oliver Glasner to defeat in his first match in charge. Forest looked the more likely of the two sides to break the deadlock throughout the contest, shading the xG by 0.65 to 0.49, though they were ultimately made to pay for their profligacy. Igor Jesus and Nikola Milenkovic went close with first-half headers, the latter hitting the post, while Leeds new boy Harry Wilson saw a goal ruled out for offside at the other end. The hosts continued to carry the greater threat after the break. Jesus headed narrowly off target, while substitute Chris Wood dragged a good chance wide from the edge of the box. Leeds still had their moments, though. New signing Tarik Muharemovic called Matz Sels into action with a firm header 20 minutes from time. However, the Forest goalkeeper was helpless in the 88th minute, when Stach's superb free-kick delivery nestled into the bottom corner at his near post. Incredibly, the two sides will lock horns here again in three days' time, as they face off in the second round of the EFL Cup. After that, Forest travel to Anfield to play Andoni Iraola's Liverpool next Saturday, while Leeds play host to Brentford the following day. Thank you very much for joining us. Until next time, goodbye!
FULL-TIME: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0-1 LEEDS UNITED
A last throw of the dice from Glasner, who sends on Kalimuendo in place of Murillo for the dying seconds. Is it too late, though?
In short: no, they can't. There's a delay before the free-kick is taken, and the anticipation builds among the home fans. However, it's for nothing in the end, with Gibbs-White unable to keep his delivery down. Trafford watches the ball all the way over the crossbar, onto which he subsequently clings.
As we enter three additional minutes at the end of this game, Rodon is late getting to Gibbs-White, who he subsequently fouls. Forest now have a free-kick just outside the box. Can they see and match Stach's delivery from a few moments ago?
Sels will be disappointed to have been beaten at his near post. The goalkeeper could possibly have done better in that situation. You can't take anything away from Stach, though. It was a superbly struck free-kick, and it could well decide this contest.
STACH SCORES!!! 1-0 LEEDS! That Milenkovic challenge proves extremely costly for Forest! Stach picks himself up and stands over the dead ball. He whips a fierce free-kick towards the near post, and Sels can only help the ball nestle in the bottom corner of the net. Leeds strike first. Could they have a first top-flight win at the City Ground for over 50 years?
Sloppy from Milenkovic, who is late in his challenge on Stach. Leeds subsequently have a free-kick on the edge of the area. How costly will that prove to be?
Forest have had 81% of the possession during the last 10 minutes, but not been able to convert it into the game's opening goal. Leeds look to punish them with Okafor advancing into the left side of the penalty area. However, his attempted cutback is intercepted and tidied up by the hosts' defence.
A conservative change by Leeds, who introduce central midfielder Longstaff in place of the more attacking Aaronson.
OFF THE WOODWORK! Okafor is penalised for a clumsy challenge near the corner flag, and Forest can threaten with a free-kick. Williams' delivery ricochets around the area, and then back towards goal. Trafford has things covered, but is still relieved as the ball bounces back off the post.
Wood averaged a goal every other game during his two full seasons with Leeds. The New Zealander scored 44 times in 88 appearances in all competitions between 2015 and 2017, before departing for Burnley.
Trafford won't thank Bogle for the fizzed backpass towards the Leeds goalkeeper, whose touch is subsequently a little heavy with Wood smelling blood. Thankfully for the former Manchester City stopper, though, he manages to clear his lines before the Forest striker can get there.
Forest also hand a debut to new signing Schlager, who comes on in place of McAtee.
Glasner shuffles his pack with a couple of changes. The first of them sees the hardworking Aina replaced by Netz.
Leeds have failed to win on any of their previous 14 visits to the City Ground in the top flight. That streak stretches back to the 1971-72 season, yet they almost edged their noses in front there.
GREAT SAVE, SELS! Leeds turn up the pressure following Forest's decent spell. The ball is clipped into the box from the left and met by Muharemovic, but Sels springs across brilliantly to push away his header.
We're about to enter the final 20 minutes at the City Ground. Forest and Leeds are still locked at 0-0, though both sides have looked a lot better offensively during the second half. Can either of them find a winning goal?
Wilson's Leeds debut comes to an end. He makes way to be replaced by Okafor for the final quarter of this contest.
CHANCE FOR WOOD! That's the opportunity he was craving after coming on. The substitute latches onto a throughball on the edge of the box. He shoots first time with a clear sight on goal, but drags his effort wide.
Forest turn to the long throw again, with Aina launching yet another missile into the box. It takes a glancing blow across the area and drops to Gibbs-White on the volley, but he can't find the target.
Glasner rolls the dice and opts for two men up front, as he introduces former Leeds striker Wood in place of Ndoye.
Sangare isn't a man renowned for his goalscoring exploits. It shows as the central midfielder takes aim from distance, only to skew the ball well wide and into the stands.
Leeds' positive start to the second half seemed to give Forest a bit of a kick up the backside, and they've matched their opponents' efforts as a result. Williams joins in another attack and he looks to clip the ball across the area, but mishits his cross and it floats behind for a goal-kick.
Aina is involved again as he launches a long throw into the box. It's unclear who the ball hit, but it ricochets towards goal, and Trafford can collect.
