Latest Nottingham Forest verdict as Sean Dyche's Reds beaten 3-1 by Leeds United in Premier League clash at Elland Road
10:36, 07 Feb 2026
Nottingham Forest players look dejected during their defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road
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Nottingham Forest players look dejected during their defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road(Image: Getty)
Sean Dyche shook his head in dismay when Leeds United’s third goal went in and any hopes of a Nottingham Forest revival were sunk.
A few minutes later, Nicolas Dominguez took his frustration out on some water bottles as he booted them aside after being substituted. It was a dismal night all round for the Reds at a rain-soaked Elland Road, and it leaves the lingering question of whether it will be a costly one.
With the teams on level pegging before kick-off, a nine-point buffer over the relegation places was the prize on offer for the winners of this fixture under the lights. Forest never really looked like grabbing it; in fact, the significance of that carrot seemed to have been lost on them.
Instead, it was Leeds who grasped the opportunity with both hands and are now all the better for it. Dyche’s side were out-fought and out-thought as their mini four-match unbeaten run in the Premier League came to a sorry end. Below, NottinghamshireLive looks at some of the big talking points from the Reds’ 3-1 defeat.
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Selection decisions
Eyebrows and concerns were raised when the visitors’ line-up was confirmed. By half-time, those worries were well and truly justified.
Losing Murillo to a calf problem the day before the game was a huge blow to Forest. His steadfast partnership with Nikola Milenkovic is the foundation upon which the team’s survival fight is built.
The duo would have been broken up for this one anyway as Murillo was set to be deployed at left-back to cover for the suspended Neco Williams. But the Brazilian’s late withdrawal required a further reshuffle of the back line, with Ola Aina going to the left and Zach Abbott picked for the right-back spot.
Academy graduate Abbott has generally given a good account of himself in his handful of appearances to date, including in the Europa League. He has played at right-back before, but it would be a surprise if he fills in there again any time soon.
To say it was a tough evening for the centre-back would be an understatement. Leeds targeted him from the off and got a lot of joy down that flank - especially as Dominguez’s defensive duties inexplicably went AWOL.
Dyche said he didn’t want to throw new signing Luca Netz in at the deep end after just one day of training with the squad. But that decision was undermined when the German left-back came off the bench and settled in straight away.
It was the wrong team selection, with square pegs in round holes. When it was clear it wasn’t working, it needed changing at half-time when it was still 2-0 and Forest still had a chance. Dyche waited until the 76th minute to bring on Netz. The game was gone by then, but the newcomer quickly added some balance to the visitors’ play.
Squad depth?
It is not a new observation, but the Reds’ struggles in the absence of some key men emphasises the challenge they are facing. The first-choice XI is capable of beating any opponent on their day, but is there sufficient strength in depth beyond that?
Well, a left-back (Netz) was signed to partly help on that front but wasn’t utilised from the off at Elland Road. Stefan Ortega, a new arrival from Manchester City, ought to have done better between the posts in place of the injured Matz Sels - it was his first appearance since last June, but with his pedigree Forest would have expected more from him.
To add to that, Lorenzo Lucca offered something on his debut. It was only a cameo but his headed goal was a decent one, and it came from a delightful cross from fellow substitute Omari Hutchinson.
Dyche is, therefore, not entirely without options. James McAtee hasn’t exactly pulled up many trees since his summer move but was superb against Ferencvaros recently. He hasn’t got on the pitch since, though, and neither has Taiwo Awoniyi after looking sharp with his goal at Brentford.
Questions can be asked about the make-up of the Reds’ squad. Equally, questions can be asked about how it is being utilised. This isn’t all on Dyche, though, some players with plenty of talent, know-how and experience haven’t always stepped up when required.
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The newcomers
It counted for little when Lucca nodded Hutchinson’s cross beyond Karl Darlow with a few minutes to go. But it should boost the Italian’s confidence, coming off the back of a difficult time at Napoli.
It was his first goal since scoring in the Coppa Italia in early December, and his first league goal since netting against Pisa in a Serie A clash back in September. To get on the scoresheet on his first outing for the Reds should do him the power of good.
It may well see him oust Igor Jesus from the XI, too. Jesus is a hard-worker but once again was far too isolated on this occasion; his goalscoring record in the Premier League is also not the best, with just two goals from 24 appearances. Lucca looks like he might be the better fit under Dyche.
Ortega will no doubt keep his place between the posts until Sels returns. But despite doing well, it remains to be seen when Netz gets another chance to impress.
Forest will revert to their tried and trusted back line when Williams and Murillo are back. The former will be available again on Wednesday night and the hope is his teammate will have recovered sufficiently to play, too.
Netz was not included in the Reds’ revised Europa League squad when it was submitted ahead of the knockout stages. Given Dyche’s side are out of the domestic cups, he might find patience is required in the battle for minutes.
Up next
From one huge game to another. After what happened on Friday, next week’s clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers has taken on extra significance.
Before then, Forest face a nervy Saturday seeing what happens elsewhere. West Ham United would close the gap on them to three points with a win away to Burnley this afternoon.
This is not the first time the Reds have squandered an opportunity to pull clear of danger. Their midweek meeting with Wolves at the City Ground is a chance for three points they simply cannot pass up - not with Liverpool, followed by visits to Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City, on the horizon.
Forest have their two-legged Europa League play-off against Fenerbahce either side of the Liverpool game. A healthy position in the relegation battle might allow them to go full-throttle against the Turkish outfit, but as it stands Dyche may well decide to rest some key men - as he has in other European games.
Such a predicament sums up the hole the club find themselves in. Just like in defeat to Leeds, it is one of their own making.
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