Stach’s late free-kick earns Leeds win at Forest as renewed resilience stands out | OneFootball

Leeds United began the 2026/27 Premier League season with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, settled late by Anton Stach.

As reported by yorkshireevenpost.co.uk, little separated the sides before the break. Harry Wilson had a tidy finish ruled out for offside.

Forest improved after half-time and Leeds dug in. The breakthrough came on 88 minutes, Stach’s free-kick beating Matz Sels at his near post.

Wilson is yet to register a goal or assist across six pre-season games and the opener, but his movement impressed. For the disallowed effort he drifted inside, dragging Murillo and freeing Bogle wide, then moved ahead of the play. He and Bogle, with Joe Rodon, already look well aligned down that flank.

With momentum scarce, Daniel Farke changed it past the hour, bringing on Noah Okafor for Wilson and shifting Brenden Aaronson right, then introducing Sean Longstaff on 82 minutes. Rather than removing Stach in a like-for-like, Longstaff replaced Aaronson, tightening midfield and, with Wilson off, keeping one of Leeds’ two major set-piece threats on. A scrappy free-kick then proved decisive, aided by uncertain keeping from Sels.

The clearest change from last season came in goal. James Trafford, taunted in the first half, produced key moments, notably an early save from Igor Jesus’ header and several assured claims. Leeds kept only two Premier League away clean sheets last season, at Liverpool and Crystal Palace, and with Trafford and Muharemovic joining Joe Rodon and Jaka Bijol there is scope for more.

Source: yorkshireevenpost.co.uk

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”