Daniel Farke is looking to end a hoodoo that has haunted Leeds United since Don Revie was in charge when his side face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
The pressure is building on Leeds boss Daniel Farke after his side slipped to a humbling 3-0 defeat against Brighton in their last outing.
Although the result itself was not a surprise, the nature of Leeds’ performance was disappointing, with goalkeeper Lucas Perri coming in for criticism for his performance on the south coast.
Leeds’ next Premier League fixture is a daunting clash against relegation rivals Nottingham Forest, who are showing signs of improvement under Sean Dyche.
If Farke does succeed in claiming a much-needed win at the City Ground, he will become the first Leeds manager to win there in the top flight since the great Don Revie in 1971.
Johnny Giles of Leeds United
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Don Revie claimed Leeds United’s last top-flight win at the City Ground
One of football’s great rivalries was cemented during the 1971/72 season as Leeds went toe-to-toe with Brian Clough’s Derby County side for the First Division, eventually finishing second in the table.
Clough would go on to manage both Leeds and Forest, with vastly differing outcomes. However, Matt Gillies was the man in the Forest dugout last time the Whites won a top-flight game in Nottingham.
Leeds claimed a two-nil victory in November 1971, as Revie fielded a star-studded line-up including all of the stars of his famous team, captained by the legendary Billy Bremner, partnering Johnny Giles in midfield.
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After Eddie Gray had an early goal ruled out, prolific forward Peter Lorimer spectacularly opened the scoring. Lorimer collected the ball in the left-hand channel and spotted the goalkeeper off his line before delivering an audacious chip into the far corner, earning applause from the home fans.
Allan Clarke claimed the three points when he fired home from Gray’s pass midway through the second half, as Leeds claimed the win, following a controversial red card for Forest’s Sammy Chapman. Farke would gladly take a repeat of that result if it were offered to him today.
F.A. Cup Final 1972 May 6th 1972 Leeds United Manager Don Revie congratulates his team after their one nil victory over
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Leeds United’s top-flight record away vs Nottingham Forest
Since the two sides met at the City Ground in the First Division during the 1971/72 season, Leeds have endured 13 games without a victory at the stadium in the top flight, according to the BBC.
That run includes six defeats for Leeds, including a 1-0 loss during their 2022/23 Premier League relegation season, which was the last game under former manager Jesse Marsch.
Leeds’ record at Nottingham Forest in the top-flight since December 1971: Data from 11v11
Played: 13
Won: 0
Drawn: 6
Lost: 7
Goals For: 10
Goals Against: 19
Leeds have managed six draws in that period, with their last goal in the top-flight away at Forest coming in the 1998/99 season.
Gunner Halle appeared to have set Leeds on course for a gritty victory on that occasion, after Danny Granville was sent off in the 31st minute. However, Steve Stone equalised with five minutes to go as Leeds’ long wait for a win continued.