Match Report: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Leeds United. Johnson goal earns Reds second straight home league win.

Nottingham Forest have kept up their good home record against Leeds United after a 1-0 victory in the Premier League. The Reds now have won their last three home games against the side from Yorkshire, this one in the top flight. The victory has sent Forest back up to 13th in the league and now six points clear of the relegation zone. Leeds remain 17th after yesterdays results and are now looking over their shoulder as they are now level on points with Everton, but they do have a game in hand. Steve Cooper made four changes to his side defeated by Manchester United in the Carabao Cup semi final. New signing Keylor Navas was handed a first start in goal and Morgan Gibbs-White came back from an ankle injury. Former Leeds man Chris Wood also came in along with Danilo. Jesse Marsch made five changes to his side that won at Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup. Wilfred Gnonto, who has impressed this season, returned to the side and there was starts for Liam Cooper and Tyler Adams who were a doubt going into the game. Debutante Navas was called into action just two minutes into the game. Sinisterra latched upon a lose ball before heading it over the centre halves and getting his shot off. But Navas was quick to get down low to the shot and making a good save. There was a real buzz for the three time Champions League winner after making his move from PSG. The home side then took the lead on 13 minutes. After winning the free kick, it was Brennan Johnson getting his fifth league goal of the season. Gibbs-White sent the free kick in from the right which was headed away only as far as Johnson who struck it first time into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. That is fourth goal involvement in his last 3 league games. The Welshman has really stepped up since the World Cup break. The visitors then had a huge chance. Luke Ayling sent in a cross from the right and it found Gnonto at the back post. His pass across the goal found Sinisterra and he blazed over from just a couple of yards out. The Colombian has netted twice so far in the league this season but couldn't find the net today. The chances kept falling to the visitors. This time a low ball across was miss hit by Bamford but fell for Ayling. His left footed shot was saved by Navas as it was heading for the far corner. The first half mostly being dominated by Leeds as Forest were really struggling to get into the game. That wasn't the final chance of the half as the Whites had another big opportunity. Neco Williams struggled to clear a high ball and his headed clearnce fell straight to Gnonto and he was yet again denied by Navas. Leeds were getting chances but could not get through the keeper from Costa Rica. That was it for the first half and Leeds would of felt they did not deserve to be behind. A half of which they dominated the ball and had numerous chances they could not find that cutting edge. For Forest they were really struggling to get into the game but took their chance well and proved to be more clinical Cooper did make two changes at half time Danilo and Orel Mangala came of and Serge Aurier and Jack Colback replaced them. This pushed Williams into lef midfield position as Gnonto was causing him a few problems in that first half. The second half showed not many chances at all for either side. Just like the first half, Leeds did have a lot of the ball but did not create a lot. Once chance though did come for the home side. Neco Williams was played through the middle but Ayling managed to catch up which forced Neco into rushing his shot and putting it over the bar. The Welsh international was having a better game since moving to that side of the pitch. Another chance did come for Forest. The Reds did well to keep hold of the ball on the edge of the box and it eventually fell to substitute Surridge and he tried to find the far corner but leaned back to much and it went over the bar. Despite late pressure from Leeds, the referee blew his whistle and got Nottingham Forest another huge 3 points. The Reds now have the most points in 2023 out of any other Premier League start and will be looking to keep up this good form and to stay in the league. As for Leeds, it is now seven league games without a win and will seriously be looking over their shoulder as they are being dragged ever so closer to the relegation zone. Next up for the Whites they face against an inform Manchester United twice in the same week and both being in the league which could prove to be vital. For Forest, they travel to a high flying Fulham where they will be looking to keep up this promising form. Also, new signing Andre Ayew came on for his debut after completing a free transfer after deadline day.