Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest. Sky Bet Championship.
Elland RoadAttendance32,426.
Monday 1 January 2018 19:25, UK
Nottingham Forest recovered from the sacking of Mark Warburton to draw 0-0 at play-off hopefuls Leeds United.
Leeds were the better of the teams throughout as Forest, managed by caretaker Gary Brazil, looked to contain the home team but they did have a few chances of their own.
Liam Cooper saved Leeds when Matty Cash played Ben Brereton through on goal but the defender reacted just in time to perfect a sliding challenge and remove the danger.
Leeds had three great chances in quick succession as Pontus Jansson had a header from a corner blocked on the line by Kieran Dowell, then Kemar Roofe had the rebound saved and then contrived to volley the ball over from six yards.
Roofe nearly broke the deadlock in the 55th minute thanks to great work from Samuel Saiz, who spun Liam Bridcutt in his own half and then ran 50 yards to lay the ball off to his team-mate, but the striker's shot struck the bar.
Bridcutt, returning to former club Leeds, was key to Forest's success as he repeatedly broke things up in midfield to ensure the home team did not get on top of the visitors.
Forest came closest to scoring in the 68th minute when Kieran Dowell received the ball from Cash but could only strike his shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Pablo Hernandez received the ball from Sami Saiz who had dribbled his way through the Forest midfield, but the former Swansea man had his effort saved by Jordan Smith who spread himself well to block the shot.
Substitute Hadi Sacko and Pierre-Michel Lasogga combined late on as the former lifted a cross to the back post where the latter was waiting but he could not get any power on his header, allowing Smith to collect the ball as it bounced slowly towards the goal-line.
The point leaves Leeds in fifth place and Forest sitting in 14th as they continue their search for a new manager.
Thomas Christiansen: "Today it was clear that we deserved the three points, we did almost everything to get them. I am happy with the player's intent to take the three points.
But there a wall inside the goal - we had good, big opportunities to take the win but unfortunately we only go away with one point."
Gary Brazil: "I didn't sense that there was going to be an issue with us keeping a clean sheet.
"When they ddid get through, I thought Jordan made a fantastic save but he's been doing that for this football club all season and when we were limiting them to long-range shots, something got to go right in the top corner, so I am really proud how they've gone about it.
"Every man has shown a real professionalism and that's what we asked for before the game. They've shown a real desire to commit themselves to the football club and put in a performance and that's a really nice foundation to build on."
The former Leeds midfielder returned to Elland Road to show what the home faithful are missing as a key competent in defensive unit which successful stopped Leeds getting on top of Forest.
Leeds face a tricky FA Cup Third Round trip to League Two Newport on Sunday at noon.
Nottingham Forest have the chance to knock Arsenal out of the cup at the City Ground on Sunday at 4pm.
