Stach's 88th-minute free-kick fires Leeds to first win at Nottingham Forest since 1972

Anton Stach’s 88th-minute free-kick gave Leeds United a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday, Daniel Farke’s side recording their first win at that venue since 1972 on the opening day of the Premier League season.

Stach curled a low effort from the corner of the penalty area past Matz Sels at the near post to send the travelling Leeds support into raptures — a smash-and-grab result that belied the run of play throughout the afternoon.

Forest had dominated large spells and wasted a string of clear opportunities to take the lead. Nikola Milenkovic struck a post with a glancing header in the 40th minute after James McAtee’s precise delivery, and Igor Jesus squandered two headers — the first saved by James Trafford, the second headed down and over from close range after the interval.

Chris Wood came off the bench and dragged a one-on-one chance wide after Murillo’s through ball, while Trafford also tipped a looping Milenkovic effort onto the crossbar as Forest pressed for a goal that never came.

Leeds were not without their own moments. Sels produced a flying save to deny Tarik Muharemovic’s header, and Harry Wilson had a goal correctly ruled out for offside in the 25th minute.

Forest, under new head coach Oliver Glasner, had set their sights on a top-half finish this season, but the afternoon carried uncomfortable echoes of last term — no new signings in the starting XI and a familiar inability to convert dominance into goals.

For Leeds, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, the result provides an early confidence boost ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup rematch between the two sides at the same venue.