Nottingham Forest 2-0 Leeds United (EFL Championship) 08.02.20

Billed by many locally as the biggest match of the season so far. Nottingham Forest verses Leeds United has for some years now been a heavyweight Championship clash but this season, 2019/20 and more than ever in recent times has it meant so much.

The anticipation around the game (along with the closure of Clifton Bridge) literally brought the City to a halt. The excitement prior to Saturdays match was likened more to a cup final than a league game. Treated like a cup final by Forest Manager Sabri Lamouchi. “Win and our season stays alive, lose and we face a mammoth task.” But in reality this was just another three points. Although we all knew it meant more than that.

The four point difference of the two teams going into the game meant a swing either way would be massive towards the promotion run in. Should second place Leeds win they clear seven points on the fourth placed reds and go top leapfrogging leaders West Brom. Should Forest win that four point gap closes to just one with all to play for with 15 Championship games remaining.

In the end it was a tactical masterclass.

Like Brentford, Lamouchi set his side out to concede possession confident of defending in numbers and breaking, knowing that if the chance comes the Reds have the firepower to take it, whilst relying on a defence that when it has to (and when it’s focused enough) can defend like Trojans.

In the first half Tiago Silva dipped two long range efforts in front of Leeds goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, the second of which forcing a fine save to the Spaniards right who tipped around the posts for a corner.

Leeds best chance was through Alioski who pulled a shot from the edge of the area wide as Samba looked on.

A neat move on 31 however between Ribeiro and Ameobi saw the latter race down the left and shoot low and hard towards the keepers near post to put Forest 1-0 up a lead they would keep going into the break.

The Reds should have been two up in the second half when Lolley found Grabban with Casilla already grounded and the whole goal to aim at the striker drove his effort straight at the Spaniard when it looked easier to score.

Leeds went closest when a header by Cooper, unmarked from a corner was saved by Samba who dived to his right before punching a spinning ball away from danger as it looked to creep towards the goal line but in truth the away side disappointed failing to create any clear chances despite their dominance in possession.

A flurry of late pressure was not capitalised on as Forest defended dogged and resolute and in the final minute of injury time a free kick into the box was cleared to the half way line and as Leeds last defender Harrison dwelt on the ball Lolley robbed him to run through and set up Tyler Walker to smash into the empty net and put the game beyond doubt.

After the match delighted with his teams performance Sabri Lamouchi said “I am really proud of the players tonight. A week is long time in football because last week I really upset with them and now I love them. They made the fans and I so proud and you could tell because the atmosphere all night was absolutely amazing.

A big seven days for Forest ahead as they first face Charlton Athletic at the City Ground on Tuesday night before a tough trip to leaders West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Nottingham Forest: Samba, Cash, Figueiredo, Worrall, Ribeiro, Sow, Watson, Ameobi (Diakhaby 67), Lolley, Silva (Yates 80), Grabban (Walker 90).

Leeds United: Casilla, Dallas, Ayling, Cooper, Alioski (Shackleton 70), White, Costa, Hernandez (Roberts 59), Klich, Harrison.

Venue: City Ground (29,455)

*Main image @NFFC the Forest players celebrate Sammy Ameobi’s opening goal.