Leeds United came from behind to beat relegation rivals Nottingham Forest 2-1 at Elland Road in a crunch match at the bottom end of the Premier League table. Goals from Jack Harrison and Luis Sinisterra cancelled out Orel Mangals's opening strike as the home side push their way up the table and away from the relegation zone. It is looking bleak for Forest as it is no win in eight games for Steve Cooper's side as they keep finding their way closer to the dreaded bottom three week by week.
Javi Gracia made two changes to his side that were heavily defeated by Arsenal at the weekend. Weston McKennie and Patrick Bamford came in for Rasmus Kristensen and Crysencio Summerville as he looked for more attacking threat. Cooper named an unchanged side from the draw with Wolves. There was a change on the bench though as Gustavo Scrapa was deemed fit enough for the matchday squad.
The visitors came close to taking the lead early on in the game. A Morgan Gibbs-White corner caused confusion at the front post which gave Emmanuel Dennis a chance from close range. The Nigerian, who has started the last three games for the Reds, got his effort off and hit the woodwork. The summer signing has only scored two goals since joining from Watford for a hefty fee.
The Reds did then take a rare lead away from home after 12 minutes. Dennis, who was causing problems on the left side with his pace and skill, played a low ball to the edge of the box and found Mangala and he struck from just inside the box and found the bottom corner to open his Forest account. The Reds now up their away goals tally to five in the Premier League as the away fans finally had something to celebrate away from the City Ground.
Just eight minutes later, Leeds were level. Marc Roca decided to let fly from the edge of the box which Keylor Navas pushed away, only into the path of Harrison as he pounced and brought the Whites level. The former Manchester City man getting his fourth goal of the season as he punished Navas for pushing the ball into a dangerous area.
Leeds then completed their turnaround just before half time. Summer signing Sinisterra shot from the left side of the penalty area found the far corner and raised the Elland Road roof as they were in front. It is a third league goal for the Colombian who made the move over from Dutch side Feyernoord in the summer and was causing a lot of problems down the left wing, especially for Neco Williams.
That was it for the first half as Leeds took a vital lead into the break. The visiting team were not causing problems for home side as they lacked to show any fight since they scored as the Whites controlled the half. A big team talk was needed by Cooper if he wanted to relieve any pressure he had on his job.
Just like the first half, Sinisterra was causing a lot of issues for the Forest right side early on in the second half. In similar fashion to his goal, the Colombian shot from distance looking for the far corner but it just went wide of Navas' goal.
Leeds almost added a third through former Forest man Bamford. The Reds would of only had themselves to blame if he found the net as Felipe and Williams both went up for a header which put the ball into the path of Bamford but the Grantham born striker could only put it wide. That incident summed up the night for Forest as they were poor all over the pitch and were making poor decisions.
Forest could not find an equalizer and fall to yet another defeat on the road. The pressure will be mounting on boss Cooper as the Reds are winless in eight and sit 17th in the table on goal difference. A crucial win for the side from Yorkshire as they now sit 13th in the table two points clear of the relegation zone. Next up for Leeds is a home game against Crystal Palace where they will look for two wins on the bounce. Forest travel to an inform Aston Villa on Saturday where three points is vital.
1 2 3 4 FOREST GET BATTERED EVERYWHERE THEY GOOOOOOOOO
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