Nottingham Forest ended their nine-game winless run in the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Leeds United at the City Ground, extending their impressive unbeaten home record against the Whites to 14 matches.

With both teams languishing near the bottom of the table, many expected a cagey encounter, but the first half proved anything but dull as both sides produced an open and lively contest.

Forest started brightly, with Morgan Gibbs-White forcing an early save from Lucas Perri after just two minutes. Yet despite the hosts’ promising start, it was Leeds who struck first. Lukas Nmecha found space on the right side of the box and rifled a precise effort across Matz Sels into the bottom corner to give the visitors a surprise lead.

That goal meant Forest have still not kept a clean sheet in any of their 11 league games this season. However, their response was immediate. Just minutes later, Dan Ndoye’s low cross was parried by Perri straight into the path of Ibrahim Sangaré, who coolly slotted home his first goal for the club to bring Forest level.

After a lively first half, the second period settled into a more tactical battle. Leeds, who had managed a league-low two goals after half-time before this match, struggled to create clear chances. Their hopes of an away victory were dashed midway through the half when Omari Hutchinson delivered a superb cross that Gibbs-White deftly glanced into the far corner to put Forest back in front.

Leeds pushed forward late on, with Dan James testing Sels from distance, but their blunt attack once again failed to deliver. The game was effectively put to bed when Jack Harrison brought down Hutchinson inside the area, allowing Elliot Anderson to confidently convert from the penalty spot and seal the win.

The result lifts spirits at the City Ground, where Sean Dyche celebrated his first Premier League win as Forest boss. Though the Reds remain 19th, they now sit just one point from safety and will take heart from a resilient performance. Leeds, meanwhile, have now suffered consecutive league defeats and find themselves looking anxiously over their shoulders.