Leeds United secured their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup after defeating Nottingham Forest, whose poor finishing once again highlighted the need to strengthen their attacking options before the transfer window closes.
Forest have reportedly agreed a club-record deal worth around £50 million for Chelsea striker Liam Delap, with manager Oliver Glasner hoping the forward’s arrival can help revive a team that has now suffered consecutive defeats without scoring.
Leeds, who also defeated Forest 1-0 at the City Ground on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, claimed another victory at the same venue just four days later.
Dan James gave Leeds the lead in the 50th minute, calmly converting Sean Longstaff’s pass to put his side ahead.
The goal was a deserved reward for the Wales international, who caused Forest problems throughout the match. It was also James’ first club goal since April 2025, when he scored in a Championship victory over Middlesbrough.
Forest, however, struggled badly in front of goal. Chris Wood came close to equalising against his former club, but his effort was brilliantly denied by Leeds goalkeeper James Trafford.
Defenders Ola Aina and Nikola Milenkovic also wasted promising opportunities with the score still level, producing poor finishes when they should have tested the Leeds goalkeeper.
Wood, who scored 41 goals in 83 Championship appearances for Leeds between 2015 and 2017, had another excellent chance in the 30th minute after finding himself through on goal.
However, Leeds defender Joe Rodon produced a superb sliding challenge to deny the Forest striker, celebrating the intervention with the enthusiasm of a player who had just scored.
