Leeds United secured a crucial win in their fight to remain in the Premier League as they beat relegation rivals Nottingham Forest with goals from Jack Harrison and Luis Sinisterra. The victory sees Leeds move out of the bottom three and take them to 29 points, with Javi Gracia’s side now sitting in 13th place.
In a high-stakes match at Elland Road, Orel Mangala gave the visitors the lead with a well-placed shot from outside the box. But Leeds quickly responded, with Harrison scoring from close range after a save from Keylor Navas. Just before halftime, Sinisterra added to the scoreline with a stunning curled finish from the left.
The defeat for Forest deepens their relegation woes and increases the pressure on manager Steve Cooper. They are now winless in eight games and only above the relegation zone on goal difference. With a crucial match against Crystal Palace on the horizon, this was a defining week for Leeds’ season.
Since taking over as manager in February, Gracia has taken 10 points from his six games in charge. The Spaniard is known for his adaptable tactics, changing his approach to suit the situation. In this match, Gracia deployed a more attacking lineup, taking advantage of Forest’s poor away form.
Patrick Bamford started up front and caused problems with his clever runs and hold-up play. Harrison and Sinisterra were the stand-out performers, with their close control and dribbling skills giving Forest a tough time. In midfield, Marc Roca was excellent, disrupting Forest’s play and distributing the ball to get Leeds on the front foot.
The fixture list for Leeds is not an easy one in May, with tough opponents on the horizon. But this victory was a positive start, and gives Leeds renewed confidence and a solid platform on which to build. With Gracia at the helm, Leeds will be hoping to continue their climb up the table and secure their place in the Premier League for another season.
