Leeds United Thrash Nottingham Forest 3-1 to Boost Premier League Survival Hopes

Leeds United delivered a statement performance in their fight for Premier League survival, dismantling Nottingham Forest 3-1 at a rain-soaked Elland Road on Friday night. The victory moves Daniel Farke's side nine points clear of the relegation zone, providing a crucial buffer as the season enters its decisive stretch. For Forest, the result ends an unbeaten run of four games and leaves them looking nervously over their shoulder in fourth-bottom position.

A quickfire first-half double set the tone for what became a dominant Leeds display. Ilia Gruev, who was named Player of the Match for his commanding midfield performance, played a superb pass over the top to find Jayden Bogle's excellent run, and the full-back finished coolly for his first goal of the season. Just four minutes later, Noah Okafor doubled the advantage with a close-range finish, his first strike since October, sending Elland Road into raptures.

Forest had actually shown some early promise before the goals, forcing a series of saves from Karl Darlow, but the double blow knocked the stuffing out of Nuno Espirito Santo's side. Dominic Calvert-Lewin showed wonderful technique to chest home his 10th Premier League goal of the season just four minutes after the restart, effectively ending the contest.

To their credit, Forest continued to push forward. Debutant Lorenzo Lucca, signed in the January transfer window, powered home a towering header on 86 minutes to make it 3-1 and create a nervy finale. Darlow was forced into a sharp save deep into stoppage time to deny Ibrahim Sangare from pulling another goal back, but Leeds held firm to secure three vital points.

Leeds fans can now enjoy the weekend with breathing room in the table. For Farke and his players, this was exactly the kind of result they needed at the perfect time.