Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United; Premier League
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United. Premier League.
The City Ground.
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Nottingham Forest 0-1 Leeds: Anton Stach's late free-kick catches Matz Sels out as Oliver Glasner's side rue missed chances
Report and free match highlights as Leeds beat Nottingham Forest with a dramatic late winner; Anton Stach curled in an 88th-minute free-kick which caught Nottingham Forest's Matz Sels off guard; Igor Jesus and Chris Wood missed chances for Forest to take the lead
Saturday 22 August 2026 17:41, UK
Anton Stach's stunning late free-kick snatched the points for Leeds as Oliver Glasner lost his first Premier League game in charge of Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground.
With the game fading towards a goalless draw, Leeds' free-kick specialist caught Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels completely off guard as his long-range effort found a gap at the near post.
The Belgian goalkeeper will look at his positioning and footwork as crucial for the winner.
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It was no surprise that a set piece would decide this game, as the best chances of the match came from a dead ball. Igor Jesus had two big headed chances - one saved by James Trafford in the first half, before nodding a decent chance over just minutes into the second half.
Nikola Milenkovic struck the post and substitute Chris Wood also dragged a decent opening wide for Forest, but save of the day went to Sels at the other end, who clawed out Tarik Muharemovic's goalbound header with a fine hand.
Sels literally from hero to zero, as Glasner's Forest tenure starts with agony.
More to follow...
The key moments from City Ground
17: GOOD SAVE! Igor Jesus heads Ola Aina's long throw at goal but James Trafford makes a smart save.
18: VAR CHECK! VAR checks a lunge by Aina on James Justin but the Forest defender only escapes with a yellow.
25: GOAL DISALLOWED! Harry Wilson taps home Jayden Bogle's cross but is clearly in an offside position - and takes the ball off Dominic Calvert-Lewin for a tap-in, when the Leeds striker was onside.
32: VAR CHECK! VAR takes a look at Calvert-Lewin's high challenge on James McAtee. The Leeds striker gets a booking as VAR says it is reckless and nothing more.
40: OFF THE POST! Nikola Milenkovic flicks a James McAtee cross onto the far post, before Trafford denies Igor Jesus from close range.
47: SAVE! Leeds' first shot on target of the game sees Brenden Aaronson cut inside, but his shot is saved by Matz Sels.
54: BIG MISS! Jesus heads over from a good area inside the penalty area after Aina's hanging cross to the back post.
64: ANOTHER MISS! Four minutes after coming on, Chris Wood drags a shot wide of goal after being played through by Murillo.
69: WHAT SAVE! Sels pulls off a wonder stop to deny Tarik Muharemovic from inside the penalty area.
88: GOAL! After a long wait, Stach curls in a very wide free-kick in at the near post.
Farke praises Stach - but still aiming for survival
Leeds manager Daniel Farke to Sky Sports:
"I'm delighted with Stach. The summer was not the easiest for him.
"He didn't get the call-up for Germany, then he was out with injury on the last game day. He had a tricky pre-season and wasn't top-class in the first weeks, but I got the feeling in the last 10 days that he was getting better in the final games. He got the edge to start and when you're there with the decisive goal, it's good.
"It's still a long road. We need to collect 40 points, we are not naïve. The last time this club was able to have two solid seasons at [top-flight] level, you will perhaps find it in black and white photos.
"You won't find them on smartphones, they weren't invented then. For that, we stay humble, not too greedy and stay grounded. We know first and foremost we have to earn the right to establish ourselves in the Premier League."
Glasner rues 'lucky punch' Leeds winner
Nottingham Forest head coach Oliver Glasner to Sky Sports:
"It was a very tight game, very few chances. Every chance was from set pieces. It was clear one situation would decide the game or it's 0-0.
"Unfortunately it was for Leeds and a direct free-kick for Stach. We knew he is a good taker and that's why it's disappointing.
"The second half, we were a little bit better in the game, we played more in their half without having big chances. We had two or three situations where we could score, but we did not. It was a lucky punch that was on their side.
"Everybody gave their best. The players worked very hard, intense and wanted to get the win. That's why I'm looking forward in a positive way, that's the foundation of everything. We're learning from this defeat, we're at the beginning of this journey and not burying our heads in the sand.
"Unfortunately we lost, but I saw many encouraging things today. This is the way we decided to go, this is the way we continue to go."
