Leeds United enjoyed a significant win at Elland Road
James Smailes
07:00, 07 Feb 2026
Leeds United's Jayden Bogle celebrates scoring
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Leeds United's Jayden Bogle celebrates scoring(Image: PA)
Leeds United got the weekend off to the perfect start with a convincing 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest. Elland Road was a cacophony of noise once again as Leeds took a two-goal lead into the break thanks to Jayden Bogle and Noah Okafor goals, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin getting in on the act just minutes after the second-half restart to tie up the three points.
A late goal for Forest and nine-minutes of injury time may have tested just a few nerves, but Leeds thoroughly deserved the win and by a comfortable scoreline, too.
Here are some of the key talking points from the game.
Perfect night
Before the game Leeds supporters would have taken a win of any kind. Three points is all that matters in a basement battle against a relegation rival. It doesn't matter how you win these games, just don't lose them and if possible, win it any way you can!
Leeds won at a canter having weathered some early Forest chances. There was a look of a team full of confidence and one which is heading for safety. Sean Dyche kept trying to change matters with substitutions and tactical tweaks, but Leeds had too much energy, too much desire and too much quality.
Three points is now the difference between the sides, but Leeds go nine ahead of West Ham United and that felt like a statement evening.
The Whites even managed to get Dan James back on for a 15 minute cameo, which will put miles in his legs and gives Farke more options to play with in the coming weeks.
Gruev shines
Ilia Gruev enjoyed a terrific night for Leeds. Forest's chief tormentor all night, he pulled the strings and produced the goods to allow the hosts to take command of the game.
Gruev's two assists were key for Leeds, but it was the quality of the assists and his vision that caught the eye, typified by his determination to win the ball and intercept play, then show the composure and awareness to pick out Calvert-Lewin's run perfectly for the third goal. As for his first assist for Bogle, it was a pass of the highest quality!
Calvert-Lewin's class
After scoring seven goals in six games and looking like he'd never leave the pitch without a goal, Calvert-Lewin scored in just one of his next six games. Hardly reason for panic given the season he's having and the chances he's creating, but there's no denying seeing the former Everton man get in on the goal-scoring act was a welcome sight.
That's 10 goals for the season for the ex-England man and he'll be buoyant after a goal and this result, hoping it is the start of another run of goals. If Calvert-Lewin reaches 15 goals or goes beyond it this season, as looks very possible, Leeds will surely be safe and clear of any relegation worries come the end of the season.
The way the striker came across the box, timed his run perfectly like so often this season and then had the skill to turn the ball into the net with his chest underlined the threat he gives Leeds.
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Tough run ahead
If Leeds needed any reminder of why a win over Forest was so important, a quick glance at the fixture list ahead would reinforce that.
It's Chelsea next up on Tuesday night, then after a tricky tie at Birmingham City away in the FA Cup, Premier League matters bring Aston Villa and then Manchester City. It's a tough run of games and having points on the board makes a huge difference.
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There's confidence there in the performance and confidence that can be taken from the league table. West Ham will have been watching on envious and with nerves growing in London.