Nottingham Forest have defeated Leeds in one of the most enthralling clashes of the season, to ease some of the mounting pressure on manager Aitor Karanka. It was one of the games of the season, with Leeds recovering from an early deficit to take the lead despite having 10 men. They would go on to fall apart in the space of seven second half minutes to give the hosts the victory.
Leeds got off to the worst possible start in the game, with a defensive howler from Adam Forshaw handing the hosts the lead. He failed to deal with a ball over the top from Forest, slipping as he attempted a backpass under pressure form Jack Colback. The former-Newcastle midfielder would pick up the loose ball, before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting the ball home.
🙈HOWLER!🙈
Jack Colback takes advantage of Adam Forshaw's error to give Forest an early lead!
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Leeds United
Watch live on Sky Sports Football or follow here: https://t.co/Cku2m1c30r pic.twitter.com/dFlNwdk9k9— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 1, 2019
While Leeds would have the vast majority of possession for the reminder of the opening period, they failed to get back on level terms. Their situation would get worse just before the interval, after a moment of madness from Kalvin Phillips.
After a heavy touch from the Leeds man, he attempted to win the ball back form the on-rushing Adlene Guedioura, producing this lunging challenge. The referee showed little hesitation in producing the red card, and Phillips can have few complaints about the decision.
👎SHOCKING CHALLENGE👎
Leeds go down to 10 men as Kalvin Phillips is sent off for a lunging challenge on Adlene Guedioura. #NFFC 1-0 #LUFC
Watch live on Sky Sports Football or follow here: https://t.co/Cku2m1c30r pic.twitter.com/9Ehsedxz56— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 1, 2019
Leeds got off to a flying start in the second half, however. Jack Clarke got on the end of this well worked move to draw his side level.
Things would soon get even better for Leeds. A defensive breakdown from Forest during a set-piece allowed the visitors to take the lead, with Ezgan Alioski providing the finishing touch.
Despite having only 10 men, you would have fancied Leeds to go on and secure a result. They were the better side, and they were holding on to the ball incredibly well. Things would soon fall apart, however.
Nottingham Forest equalised through Jack Colback's second of the game, with this well-taken first time strike.
That goal came in the 69th minutes, and within five minutes Leeds were out of the contest. Former Ireland international Daryl Murphy took advantage of some questionable marking to give the home side the lead in the 72nd minute.
They doubled their lead only four minutes later, with Ben Osborn striking the hammer blow.
After that frantic period the match did calm down somewhat, although Pantillimon did pull off a stunning save to retain Forest's two goal advantage. Despite the loss, Leeds remain top after Norwich could only draw at Brentford.
