After their 4-0 mauling at the hands of heavyweights Arsenal on the same ground six days earlier, the Whites hauled themselves off the canvas to deliver a knockout performance.
It was fitting that local boy Josh Warrington, the former world featherweight champion boxer, was the club’s guest of honour to witness a punchy display by his favourites.
Warrington will fight Leigh Wood in Nottingham’s Arena on 21 February in a re-match of their 2023 championship scrap which Wood won.
The “Leeds Warrior” will be hoping for the same revenge that United inflicted on Forest, reversing the November scoreline at the City Ground.
Leeds are on 29 points, three ahead of Forest and six in front of West Ham, who occupy the final relegation place with 13 games to play.
Despite a rather defensive-looking line-up for a home match, Leeds came out swinging. Rookie right-back Zach Abbott was given a roasting by Gabriel Gudmundsson and Noah Okafor early on but Forest were dangerous on the counterattack.
Karl Darlow had to go full stretch to deny Nicolas Dominguez before Igor Jesus headed a whipped cross from Elliott Anderson wide.
In an open encounter, back came Leeds, Dominic Calvert-Lewin planting a James Justin against the bar, before delivering a rapid one-two which floored Forest.
On 26 minutes Ilia Gruev launched a brilliant long ball over the visitors’ defence from inside his own half to pick out the run of Jayden Bogle who finished past Stefan Ortega in style.
Four minutes later Okafor swept in the second from the edge of the six-yard area after great work by Justin and workaholic Brenden Aaronson.
The passing by both sides was not perfect on a heavy pitch and sloppy defensive play by Leeds allowed Morgan Gibbs-White to test Darlow at the end of a frenetic first-half.
Leeds were soon on the front foot securing the points three minutes after the resumption. Gruev’s shot-cum-cross was chested in by Calvert-Lewin for his tenth goal of the season.
Forest offered little in the way of a comeback although Leeds lost some momentum after the excellent Gruev received lengthy treatment to a bloodied nose after being involved in another scramble in the box which almost resulted in a Leeds goal.
Sean Dyche’s men got a consolation near the end when 6ft 7in deadline day striker Lorenzo Lucca headed in Omari Hutchinson’s centre but Leeds eased to another win under their floodlights.
Since arriving in 2023 Farke is unbeaten in 22 games at Elland Road in evening kick-offs, winning 19 of those matches.
Farke said: “We have a special atmosphere. You feel confident here. It is a sign of more confidence when we play in front of an excited home crowd.”
After difficult trips to Chelsea and Aston Villa, United’s next three home games against Manchester City (5.30pm), Sunderland (7.30pm) and Brentford (8pm).