With both times finding themselves in the lower reaches of the PL table, most onlookers would probably have expected a tight and tense affair, but to their credit, the two sides produced an entertaining first half at the City Ground.
With just two minutes on the clock, Morgan Gibbs-White tested Lucas Perri for the first time with an effort from just outside the area, which was pushed away by the Brazilian.
Having soaked up some early pressure from the hosts, the Whites produced a sucker punch as Lukas Nmecha flashed his strike from the right side of the area across Matz Sels to find the bottom left-hand corner.
The Reds have now failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their 11 PL matches this season.
However, with the travelling Leeds supporters still singing the German’s name, the Tricky Trees found an instant response as Dan Ndoye’s cross was parried away by Perri, but straight into the path of Ibrahim Sangare, who found the net from inside the area to score his first goal for the club.
After an entertaining first half, the second period didn’t quite produce the same level of attacking quality as the tense struggle that was expected pre-match, but eventually ensued.
Leeds had scored a league-low two goals after HT in the PL this season, and their hopes of a rare away success took a serious blow with just over 20 minutes remaining as a crossfield ball picked out Omari Hutchinson, who sent a teasing cross into the area that was glanced into the far corner by Gibbs-White to restore the hosts’ advantage.
The Whites piled on the pressure in the closing stages, with recent returnee Dan James testing Sels from outside the area. But with only nine goals in their 10 games before this one, a response always seemed unlikely, and when Jack Harrison brought down Hutchinson inside the area, Elliot Anderson stepped up to seal victory from the penalty spot.
Although Forest remain 19th, they are only one point from safety and have renewed belief under new boss Sean Dyche, while Leeds have now lost back-to-back PL matches and will be looking over their shoulders.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham Forest)
