Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United — Live Blog (22 August 2026)

FULL-TIME: Nottingham Forest 0–1 Leeds United. Anton Stach’s spectacular 88th-minute free-kick secures three points for Daniel Farke’s Whites in their Premier League opener at the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest had opportunities through Igor Jesus, Nikola Milenković and Chris Wood. James Trafford impressed on his Leeds debut, while Matz Sels produced a superb stop to deny Tarik Muharemović before Stach finally broke through.

Leeds earlier had a Harry Wilson finish disallowed for offside. Ola Aina and Jair Cunha were cautioned for Forest, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin booked for Leeds. The winning goal was the only goal of the match.

Venue: The City Ground, Nottingham. Attendance: 30,739. Referee: Robert Jones. Half-time: 0–0. Leeds next returned to the same venue on Tuesday 25 August for an EFL Cup second-round tie.

James Trafford reflects on keeping a clean sheet on his competitive Leeds debut. He praises the travelling support and says he maintained belief that a goal would come.

The goalkeeper made an important early save from Igor Jesus to help secure the opening-day victory.

Anton Stach reflects on his late free-kick and the response from Leeds supporters. The midfielder stresses that taking three points away to Nottingham Forest is an important start to the Premier League campaign.

He says the new arrivals have settled quickly into the squad.

Leeds United’s official video archive includes highlights of the 1–0 win and a short clip of Anton Stach’s winning free-kick.

Watch the official club video listing; the club shows the publication date but not a verifiable original YouTube premiere hour.

Sky Sports publishes its match report and highlights, outlining the late Anton Stach winner, strong goalkeeping contributions from James Trafford and Matz Sels, and Forest’s missed chances.

The report is by Sky Sports football journalist Sam Blitz. This is a post-match website report, not a claim that Sky broadcast the match live in the UK.

Nottingham Forest head coach Oliver Glasner expresses disappointment at losing a close game to a decisive late set-piece. Forest created openings through Igor Jesus, Chris Wood and Nikola Milenković but could not score.

The Premier League’s matchweek live report records both managers’ reactions.

Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu salutes Anton Stach’s free-kick quality and emphasises that the collective hard work of pre-season helped his side withstand late pressure.

Ampadu says the visitors were determined to begin the campaign with a clean sheet and a win.

Daniel Farke praises the resilience of his team, its debutants and the first clean sheet after a hard-fought 1–0 success at the City Ground.

The head coach says winning on the road against difficult opponents is the ideal way to begin the new season.

The final whistle sounds at the City Ground! Anton Stach’s 88th-minute free-kick gives Leeds United an opening-day away victory over Nottingham Forest.

James Trafford keeps a clean sheet on his Leeds debut, while Daniel Farke’s side take all three Premier League points.

Arnaud Kalimuendo (No. 15) is introduced for Murillo (No. 5) as Forest make a late attacking adjustment.

Morgan Gibbs-White strikes from a direct free-kick but sends the ball too high. Nottingham Forest are running out of time to salvage a draw.

Joe Rodon is penalised in a challenge on Morgan Gibbs-White, providing Forest with a late attacking free-kick.

The fourth official signals three minutes of additional time. Leeds must withstand Forest pressure to protect their narrow 1–0 lead.

GOAL! Anton Stach (No. 18) bends a right-footed free-kick past Matz Sels into the bottom-left corner. Leeds United lead Nottingham Forest 1–0 with two minutes of normal time remaining.

It is a dramatic late breakthrough in the season opener, sparking celebrations among the travelling Leeds support.

Nikola Milenković brings down Anton Stach and concedes a free-kick in a threatening position. The German midfielder steps up to take it himself.

Joe Rodon puts a ball into the box and Dominic Calvert-Lewin gets away a left-footed effort, but the shot is blocked. Leeds continue searching for a late winner.

Igor Jesus is caught offside as Nottingham Forest attempt to get forward. Leeds’ defensive line holds firm in the closing stages.

Daniel Farke makes a second change, sending on Sean Longstaff (No. 8) for Brenden Aaronson (No. 11) to refresh Leeds’ midfield.

Jair Cunha wins a free-kick near the right flank when Noah Okafor is penalised. Neither side has broken through.

Chris Wood wins a free-kick for Forest after a challenge involving Jayden Bogle. The home side look for an opening with normal time running down.

Oliver Glasner makes another change as Xaver Schlager (No. 21) replaces James McAtee (No. 24). Nottingham Forest remain level with Leeds.

Luca Netz (No. 25) comes on in place of Ola Aina (No. 34). The departing Forest defender was booked in the first half.

Tarik Muharemović (No. 5) makes contact with Noah Okafor’s cross and sends a goalbound header towards the net, but Matz Sels produces a diving intervention to prevent a Leeds opener.

Shortly after arriving, Noah Okafor sends a threatening delivery into the Forest penalty area. Tarik Muharemović gets on the end of it to test the home defence.

Daniel Farke introduces Noah Okafor (No. 19) for Harry Wilson (No. 10), the summer signing whose first-half goal had been ruled out for offside.

Chris Wood gets into a promising position after Murillo’s pass but drags his low finish wide of goal. A chance goes begging for the home side.

Oliver Glasner sends on Chris Wood (No. 9) in place of Dan Ndoye (No. 14), adding a different centre-forward presence to Forest’s attack.

A looping Ola Aina throw-in reaches Morgan Gibbs-White, but the Forest captain cannot keep his volley on target. The deadlock continues.

Ola Aina sends a high cross towards the far post and Igor Jesus rises in space. The Forest forward fails to keep his header down and the ball goes over the bar.

Nottingham Forest defender Jair Cunha (No. 23) is shown a yellow card. It is the home side’s second caution of the game.

Brenden Aaronson turns inside and sends a shot towards goal. Matz Sels makes the save as Leeds produce an early second-half effort.

Play resumes at the City Ground with neither side on the scoresheet. The match remains finely balanced after a first half featuring close chances at both ends.

It is goalless at the break. James Trafford has made an important save to deny Igor Jesus, while Nikola Milenković has hit the post for Forest.

Leeds have had chances, including a Harry Wilson finish chalked off for offside. Ola Aina and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have been booked, with referee Robert Jones allowing both sides to continue with 11 players.

Nikola Milenković meets James McAtee’s delivery and his flicked effort strikes the post. Leeds goalkeeper James Trafford then denies Igor Jesus on the follow-up. Forest come close to a first-half opener.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (No. 9) is booked for a high challenge on James McAtee. The incident is reviewed by VAR and remains a yellow card; there is no dismissal.

An inviting delivery from Ola Aina reaches Igor Jesus, who directs his header into the turf and over the Leeds crossbar. The home side remain dangerous from the flanks.

Harry Wilson (No. 10) turns in Jayden Bogle’s low cross, but the assistant referee flags offside. Leeds do not take the lead and the score stays 0–0.

The Welsh international had been positioned ahead of the last defender as he reached the ball.

Ola Aina (No. 34) receives a yellow card for a challenge on James Justin. VAR checks the incident but the disciplinary outcome remains a caution.

Igor Jesus gets a header away in Forest’s attacking sequence, but James Trafford reacts sharply and prevents the hosts taking the lead.

Ethan Ampadu’s long throw is only partly cleared and drops for Anton Stach. His attempt is deflected, forcing Matz Sels into an early save.

The 2026/27 Premier League season begins for both clubs at the City Ground. Robert Jones is the referee, with Daniel Farke and Oliver Glasner in the technical areas.

Leeds seek a positive start in an away ground where Forest can call upon their vocal home crowd.

LUTV has scheduled its free pre-match show from 14:30 BST. Simon Grayson and Dom Matteo analyse the two starting line-ups ahead of the opening whistle.

The official LUTV commentary team for the match is Bryn Law and Andy Couzens. The programme sign-off time is not independently confirmed.

Jaka Bijol says the Leeds squad is ready following pre-season and expects a demanding encounter at the City Ground. He spoke to LUTV after arriving at the ground.

The Slovenia international lines up in the visiting defence alongside Joe Rodon and Tarik Muharemović.

Robert Jones referees Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United. Assistant referees are Nick Greenhalgh and Alistair Nelson, with Gavin Ward the fourth official. Craig Pawson is VAR and Ian Hussin assistant VAR.

The match takes place at the City Ground.

LEEDS UNITED STARTING XI (3-4-2-1): No. 1 James Trafford (GK); No. 6 Joe Rodon, No. 15 Jaka Bijol, No. 5 Tarik Muharemović; No. 2 Jayden Bogle, No. 18 Anton Stach, No. 4 Ethan Ampadu (C), No. 24 James Justin; No. 10 Harry Wilson, No. 11 Brenden Aaronson; No. 9 Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

SUBSTITUTES: No. 23 Lucas Perri (GK), No. 7 Daniel James, No. 8 Sean Longstaff, No. 14 Lukas Nmecha, No. 19 Noah Okafor, No. 22 Ao Tanaka, No. 30 Nico Elvedi, No. 50 Alfie Cresswell and No. 65 Jayden Lienou. Head coach: Daniel Farke.

James Trafford, Tarik Muharemović and Harry Wilson are handed competitive debuts.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST STARTING XI: No. 26 Matz Sels (GK); No. 23 Jair Cunha, No. 31 Nikola Milenković, No. 5 Murillo; No. 34 Ola Aina, No. 24 James McAtee, No. 6 Ibrahim Sangaré, No. 3 Neco Williams; No. 14 Dan Ndoye, No. 10 Morgan Gibbs-White (C), No. 11 Igor Jesus.

SUBSTITUTES: No. 12 John Victor (GK), No. 2 Ousmane Diomandé, No. 7 Callum Hudson-Odoi, No. 8 Nicolás Domínguez, No. 9 Chris Wood, No. 15 Arnaud Kalimuendo, No. 21 Xaver Schlager, No. 25 Luca Netz, No. 44 Zach Abbott. Head coach: Oliver Glasner.

The match has not been selected for live UK television broadcast. Leeds United’s own live pre-match programme is scheduled for 14:30 BST on LUTV and the club’s digital platforms.

Simon Grayson and Dom Matteo are the announced studio guests. Bryn Law and Andy Couzens provide LUTV audio commentary. An exact YouTube sign-off or broadcast-to-commentary handover time has not been verified.

Leeds United open their 2026/27 Premier League campaign at the City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest. Forest are beginning a new chapter under Oliver Glasner.

The game is scheduled for Saturday at 15:00 BST. The club’s official away guide and match preview contain supporter and venue information.

Daniel Farke says the squad is in good spirits following its preparations and overseas training camp. The manager stresses collective work and a disciplined approach for a tough trip to Nottingham.

Leeds enter a second successive Premier League season after finishing 14th last campaign.

Daniel Farke says Willy Gnonto will miss the opening-day fixture with a hamstring problem, while Gabriel Gudmundsson is also unavailable. The remaining squad members are expected to be available.

New arrival Nico Elvedi offers defensive cover after joining from Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Leeds United published the video of Daniel Farke’s pre-Forest media conference on its official Daniel Farke video page. The club lists it on 20 August but no reliable individual YouTube premiere time has been established.

Farke discusses preparation for the new Premier League season and the trip to Nottingham Forest. Open the official club video page to watch it; this is not a claim that the video aired at any particular hour.