Leeds beat Nottingham Forest for second time in three days in League Cup

Leeds United produced a second win at Nottingham Forest in three days as they booked their spot in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday.

Daniel Farke’s side took the three Premier League points home on Saturday and earned a 2-0 victory in the League Cup thanks to goals from Dan James and James Justin.

Having not won at the City Ground since 1972 before the weekend, they have now triumphed there twice in 72 hours, enjoying a winning start to the new campaign.

It is not the start new Forest boss Oliver Glasner was looking for as things are yet to click, though additions are on the way with a £45 million ($61m) deal agreed for Chelsea striker Liam Delap.

Neither side will have been jumping for joy at the prospect of a rematch so soon after Saturday’s Premier League opener.

But Forest enjoyed some early promise as James Trafford was forced into a great save in the 10th minute when he had to fend away Ola Aina’s cross-shot, which almost left him wrong-footed.

Then Justin was in the right place at the right time to stop Igor Jesus’ header from going in.

Leeds came into it and should have gone in front midway through the first half when James got in down the right, but his pull-back was just behind Sean Longstaff, who shot straight at Matz Sels.

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Both sides were going for it and Leeds defender Joe Rodon denied Chris Wood with a brilliant last-ditch tackle while Sels kept out James’ low effort at the other end.

The Wales international showed the required composure five minutes after the restart. Aina’s wayward header allowed Longstaff to gallop forward and he played in James, who clipped home.

Forest almost hit straight back as Arnaud Kalimuendo’s cutback was perfect for Wood, but Trafford did brilliantly to stop his effort from going into the bottom corner, before Noah Okafor sent an effort just wide as Leeds staged a rapid counter-attack.

Leeds sealed the victory with 15 minutes remaining but there was nothing pretty about it. Lucas Nmecha tried to claim it as his bundled effort was blocked on the line by Williams, with Justin finally putting the ball into the back of the net.

There was some late drama as a topless Forest fan made it past security and ran the length of the pitch before being accosted.

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