Leeds United and Nottingham Forest did battle in a hotly contested clash at The City Ground on Sunday afternoon, and below are our player ratings for Daniel Farke’s side.
Leeds came into the game in poor form. Three defeats in four, four away games in five away from Elland Road this season. Daniel Farke’s future has been under the microscope, with five games to save his job.
Sean Dyche, meanwhile, had only won one in his first four games. Leeds took the lead on Sunday with Lukas Nmecha scoring his second Leeds goal, only for Nottingham Forest to come back and win 3-1.
Leeds United player ratings in defeat to Nottingham Forest
Lucas Perri – 4
Perri started the game with a superb double save, but it might not have counted due to an offside. But for Forest’s goals, Perri softly parried into the path of Ibrahim Sangare and the second, he was nowhere.
Morgan Gibbs-White scores Forest's second goal.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Jayden Bogle – 5
After a solid start to the Premier League season, Bogle’s defensive form has become an issue. On Sunday, the right-back was constantly beaten by Switzerland’s Dan Ndoye, and it contributed to Forest’s winner.
Joe Rodon – 6
Rodon was powerful in the air and he showed plenty of heart, as always. But the Wales defender could do nothing about either Leeds goal, left stranded by Jaka Bijol for Morgan Gibbs-White’s winner in the box.
Jaka Bijol – 4
Doubts surrounding the Slovenia international continue. He might have been solid in the air, but Bijol was completely out of position for Gibbs-White’s winner. He may have conceded a penalty in the first 45, too.
Gabriel Gudmundsson – 7
Didn’t deserve to be on the losing side. Constantly won his duels on the left flank and a lung-busting run that saw him eat up the entire pitch before reaching the byline deserved better, but resulted in nothing.
Gabriel Gudmundsson tangles with Morgan Gibbs-White.
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images
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Ethan Ampadu – 5
Ampadu is the leader of the side, and the midfield. But Forest so often broke through Ampadu, who was unusually sluggish at times. On the receiving end of a knock to his knee at the end of the first half.
Anton Stach – 5
Combative performance and probably the right change to bring him in for Ao Tanaka. But the German drifted in and out of the game. Might have done better with a few moments in Nottingham Forest’s half.
Sean Longstaff – 6
A bit of a different side to Longstaff, who was first with the protests towards referee Jarred Gillett for his inconsistent performance. Gave the ball away cheaply, including a free-kick, but some aggression shown.
Brenden Aaronson – 7
First assist of the season for the American and while he gave the ball away a few times, he was dogged and one of Leeds’ better players in attack. Died off in the second half before being replaced by Farke.
Brenden Aaronson in action against Forest.
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Lukas Nmecha – 6
Great finish for his second goal in Leeds colours to give Farke’s side the lead. However, the German drifted in and out. Harshly unable to win a couple of free-kicks, with Gillett ruling against the striker.
Noah Okafor – 5
Some nice touches and forward runs from the Switzerland international, but Okafor once again was in and out of the game. Interestingly, it was the first time Okafor had completed 90 minutes for Leeds.
Daniel Farke – 3
It looked as if Farke had got it right when Nmecha opened the scoring, but once again, Farke was caught being reactive instead of proactive with his subs, and it cost Leeds. Struijk coming on summed it up.
With the international break often the time to sack a manager, Farke will nervously be looking over his shoulder. Especially, with The 49ers keen to avoid making the same mistake they made with Jesse Marsch.
Daniel Farke during Leeds' defeat to Forest.
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Subs
Joel Piroe – 6
Some nice touches and passing in midfield to connect the team. But had little impact on the final result.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 5
Might have done better with a chance inside Forest’s six-yard box.
Dan James – 6
Looked exciting when he came on, making things happen and even testing the reach of Matz Sels with a curling left-footed effort. Brief signs of the James we saw last season, in a Leeds shirt.
Leeds v Forest.
Photo by James Holyoak/MB Media/Getty Images
Pascal Struijk – 5
You are chasing a game and you bring a centre-back on. Madness from Farke. Little Struijk could do to prevent the loss.
Jack Harrison – 4
Maybe Farke to blame, but Harrison came on at left-back and his lack of defensive nous in that position saw him caught on the wrong side and concede a penalty.