Leeds lift mood with Forest win as Gruev shines and off-camera moments emerge | OneFootball

Leeds United eased their relegation anxieties with a commanding Friday night win over Nottingham Forest at Elland Road.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, pre-match concern over Daniel Farke’s defensive-leaning midfield proved unfounded. Leeds fashioned seven big chances and controlled the contest, with Ilia Gruev delivering a standout display.

Gruev covered ground and supplied two assists, prompting Farke to liken him to Hristo Stoichkov and Lothar Matthäus.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin improvised brilliantly for his goal and tormented Nikola Milenkovic. Karl Darlow answered his Arsenal error with a steady display and sharp saves.

Sean Dyche’s conservative set-up left Forest 2-0 down and unable to shift the momentum. Zach Abbott struggled against Gabriel Gudmundsson.

Groundstaff tested the sodden surface with a ball-roller contraption. A life-sized Leigh Wood cut-out preceded Josh Warrington smashing it and accusing the boxer of avoiding Elland Road.

Dyche first laughed as Noah Okafor fell near the touchline, by the 33rd minute his staff were huddling at 2-0. Farke whipped up the crowd as Okafor won a free-kick amid Dyche’s protests.

Calvert-Lewin confronted Milenkovic as Brenden Aaronson lay winded. In the mixed zone Milenkovic was intensely briefed, Lorenzo Lucca emerged with a pristine Jaka Bijol shirt, and 49ers figures Gretar Steinsson and Gene Schneur made three quick passes.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk