Leeds United 3-1 Nottingham Forest: Potent Leeds overcome subpar Forest in relegation six-pointer | OneFootball

Leeds United took a huge step towards securing their Premier League status with a 3-1 win over relegation rivals Nottingham Forest at Elland Road.

The hosts took a two-goal lead into the interval after a frantic first half, as Jayden Bogle struck past Forest ‘keeper Stefan Ortega and Noah Okafor doubled the lead, before Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted three minutes into the second half.

Forest grabbed a late consolation through new addition Lorenzo Lucca, but it was Leeds who secured the three points to move nine points above the relegation zone whilst Sean Dyche’s side remain 17th.

As it happened

The hosts began the game full of confidence and settled into an early rhythm but it was Forest who registered the first attempts of note.

A break down the left ended with Callum Hudson-Odoi wrapping an effort into the arms of Karl Darlow, before Nicolas Dominguez drew a magnificent full-stretch save out of the Leeds ‘keeper minutes later.

Igor Jesus has missed a horde of opportunities this season, and the Brazilian will be disappointed he didn’t test Darlow in the 20th minute, as he directed his headed attempt off target.

Leeds missed a golden chance of their own as top scorer Calvert-Lewin rose highest to meet James Justin’s delivery, only to see his header come crashing off of the crossbar.

The Whites had taken the lead in four of their last five Premier League games and did so again as Jayden Bogle raced onto Ilia Gruev’s lofted pass and stabbed beyond Forest newbie Stefan Ortega.

The home support didn’t have to wait long for a second as Justin’s attempt was denied by Ortega, but the full-back teed up Noah Okafor to sweep home from close range just shy of the half hour mark.

Darlow came up trumps once more late in the half as he pushed Morgan Gibbs-White’s deflected strike away from goal.

Leeds raced out of the blocks in the 49th minute, when Gruev picked up the ball in acres of space and whipped a shot goalwards which was inventively converted by Calvert-Lewin for his 10th Premier League goal of the season.

The visitors did provide the travelling support with a glimmer of hope as substitutes Omari Hutchinson and Lorenzo Lucca combined, the latter nodding in his first Premier league goal.

The win sees Leeds move three points above Forest, who will be nervously looking over their shoulders when West Ham face Burnley on Saturday.

Analysis: Forest not out of the woods yet

Enjoying a strong run of form in recent weeks, Sean Dyche’s side would have had a spring in their step when they arrived at Elland Road, but a comprehensive defeat against Leeds is a reminder of their precarious league position.

Forest’s current six-point cushion above the drop zone could look a whole lot less comfortable tomorrow afternoon as West Ham United travel to Turf Moor to take on Burnley.

The season has been calamity after calamity, with two managers already given their marching orders by owner Evangelos Marinakis and there’s a very real possibility that the Reds are dragged back into the midst of a relegation dogfight.

West Ham have experienced an upturn in their own fortunes since their January recruits arrived and the Hammers will be increasingly confident they can make up ground on Forest, particularly given Dyche’s side still have Europa League football to contend with.

Forest will need to show plenty more when they welcome Wolves to the City Ground on Wednesday night, in another pivotal clash with a fellow struggling side.