Latest Nottingham Forest verdict as Sean Dyche's Reds well beaten by Leeds United in 3-1 defeat at Elland Road
22:00, 06 Feb 2026Updated 22:18, 06 Feb 2026
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LEEDS, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Elliot Anderson, Ibrahim Sangare and Nikola Milenkovic of Nottingham Forest look dejected after Noah Okafor of Leeds United (not pictured) scored their sides second goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest at Elland Road on February 06, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Nottingham Forest’s mini unbeaten run in the Premier League came to a disappointing end on a poor night at Elland Road as Sean Dyche’s side were beaten 3-1 by Leeds United.
Four unbeaten and eight points from those fixtures had the Reds in high spirits ahead of kick-off. But with nothing separating the teams in the table, there was no getting away from the significance of this one - it came with the carrot of moving nine points clear of the bottom three with a win.
Injuries to Matz Sels and Murillo, along with a suspension for Neco Williams, meant a reshuffle in the back line for the visitors. Leeds clearly sensed an opportunity and were quick out of the blocks, targeting makeshift right-back Zach Abbott.
Forest barely had a kick of the ball in the opening 10 minutes as they found themselves on the back foot. But they weathered the storm, worked their way into the game and began to create a few openings.
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Indeed, Sean Dyche’s side registered the first effort on target of the night - something that had seemed unlikely five minutes in. Callum Hudson-Odoi’s effort was comfortably dealt with by Karl Darlow, but a Nicolas Dominguez strike soon after drew a good save from the Leeds keeper. A couple of Igor Jesus headers added to the visitors’ chance count.
Unable to make the most of their positive spell, though, Forest paid the price. They had a warning sign when a Dominic Calvert-Lewin header bounced off the bar, but just two minutes later the Whites took the lead.
Jayden Bogle beat the offside trap when he pounced on Ilia Gruev’s ball over the top and he coolly fired past debutant Stefan Ortega for 1-0 with 26 minutes gone. The Reds barely had time to sort themselves out before they were caught napping again.
Some slick Leeds passing saw James Justin’s shot from close-range saved, but he pounced on the rebound and pulled it back for Noah Okafor to slot home. Two goals in two minutes for the home side and they were firmly in control.
Forest tried to respond before the break, with Ibrahim Sangare and Morgan Gibbs-White trying their luck. But with no joy, the hosts killed the game off four minutes after the turn-around. Calvert-Lewin cushioned the ball in with his chest from Gruev’s cross-shot into the box.
Dyche made a number of changes in the second half but by then it was too late. Lorenzo Lucca bagged a consolation effort from Omari Hutchinson’s cross with minutes to go, but this was a night to forget for the visitors. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at Elland Road.
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Forest ratings
Stefan Ortega: An injury to Matz Sels on Sunday meant it was straight into action for the former Manchester City man. First appearance since last June, but with his pedigree he still could have done better for Leeds’ goals. Rating: 4/10
Zach Abbott: Has generally carried himself well when he has played, but the academy graduate is not a right-back. Was targeted right from the off by the hosts; needed more help to deal with the threat, but didn’t get it. Came off after developing cramp. Rating: 4/10
Nikola Milenkovic: Back line was all over the place as the hosts gained a commanding lead. The Serbian was as guilty as anyone of being well below par. Forest were just not at the races, and were punished for it. Rating: 4/10
Morato: Murillo always leaves big shoes to fill when he is not available. His fellow Brazilian joined the rest of his teammates in having a night to forget. It was dismal defending from the Reds, and Leeds were laughing. Rating: 4/10
Ola Aina: Not the way he would have wanted to bring up a century of Premier League appearances, with a dismal result and poor performance. Switched to left-back in the absence of Neco Williams, but the Nigerian is far better than what he showed at Elland Road. Rating: 4/10
Ibrahim Sangare: Did his best to try to get his team a foothold in the game in the first half but it didn’t last long. Leeds were soon on top, and by then it was a losing battle for Forest’s midfield. Tested Darlow late on. Rating: 6/10
Elliot Anderson: Even the England international was far from at his best at Elland Road, although he did tee up Jesus’ couple of chances in the first half. Forest as a unit just didn’t turn up on the night. Rating: 6/10
Nicolas Dominguez: Deployed on the right flank for this one, presumably to try to protect Abbott - but he did nothing of the sort. Caught out more than once defensively as Leeds ran riot down that side. Tested Karl Darlow with a first-half effort, but this was mostly woeful all round. Rating: 4/10
Morgan Gibbs-White: Went missing for long spells when the Reds really needed him to stand up and be counted. Had a positive few minutes in the first half when the visitors had settled into the game, but that was not enough. Rating: 5/10
Callum Hudson-Odoi: Contributed to a decent spell for Forest in the first half, having a go with an effort 10 minutes in. It was a pretty tame shot, though, which rather summed up the Reds’ evening. Rating: 5/10
Igor Jesus: Far too isolated for much of his 54 minutes, to the extent he might as well not have been on the pitch. Had a couple of headed chances in the first half during a positive Forest spell, but they didn’t really trouble Leeds. Rating: 5/10
Subs
Lorenzo Lucca (for Jesus, 54mins): Should hopefully do his confidence some good to get a goal on debut. It didn’t count for anything on the night, but is something for the front man to build on. Rating: 7/10
Omari Hutchinson (for Dominguez, 54mins): Lovely cross into the box for Lucca’s goal. Shame it was a case of too little, too late by that point. Rating: 7/10
Dan Ndoye (for Hudson-Odoi, 67mins): Offered a few positive flickers when he came on, with a wild shot and a decent cross into the box. Game was over with by then, though, so it mattered little. Rating: 6.5/10
Ryan Yates (for Gibbs-White, 67mins): Not a great deal the midfielder could do to turn the game around. In fairness, it would have been an uphill battle for anyone to try to do that. Rating: 6/10
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Luca Netz (for Abbott, 76mins): Surely would have made sense starting the left-back, even if he is new to the Premier League - or at least bringing him on at the break. Did well when he came on. Rating: 7/10
Subs not used: Gunn, Awoniyi, Jair, McAtee.
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