Leeds United supporters salute Whites 'relief' with best player agreement and doubters answered

Leeds United gave their survival hopes another huge boost with another huge win under the Elland Road lights - but what did the club’s fans think? Here is what our YEP Jury had to say on Friday’s 3-1 victory against Nottingham Forest including delight at Whites relief and complete agreement on the night’s best player.

NEIL GREWER

Leeds romped to a convincing victory on a wet night under the lights at Elland Road.

After encouraging early Leeds pressure and a few Forest counter attacks of promise, the hosts made possession count when Ilia Gruev floated a ball over the defence and Jayden Bogle finished neatly.

Minutes later, a James Justin cross was slammed home by Noah Okafor then, just after the break, a Gruev shot/cross was chested home by DCL.

It was a night for answering the doubters. Gruev showed he can play forward and contribute offensively whilst being solid defensively and covering every blade of grass.

He looked a Premier League player.

Okafor had perhaps his most effective game, constantly causing issues for Forest whilst putting in an impressive defensive shift when required.

Pascal Struijk was commanding in defence and intelligent going forward.

Karl Darlow made several important saves before Leeds scored and at the death, and was not to blame for Forest’s consolation goal from their giant new striker.

All performances from starters to subs were at least 8 out of 10 and credit Daniel Farke for the team selection.

Man of the match: Ilia Gruev.

“Fans were debating the decision”

ANDY RHODES

With pre-match stats illustrating Leeds’ dominance in games under the lights at Elland Road under Daniel Farke, you could be forgiven for thinking Nottingham Forest would end the run.

Indeed, Forest have some very good players but that doesn’t necessarily make for a good team.

Noah Okafor knew he had the beating of his man early doors. It was his best game in a Leeds shirt; there were other players in a similar position.

Fans were debating the decision to play Ilia Gruev in midfield but he put in a man-of-the-match display. Not only did he thwart countless Forest attacks but he also created two goals. He was the true definition of a box-to-box midfielder.

Karl Darlow also had a good game. There were nervy moments but he made some vital saves, particularly at 0-0, to send Leeds on their way.

It was a comprehensive performance and one that Leeds will need to repeat on Tuesday.

Man of the match: Ilia Gruev.

“What a relief!”

DAVID WATKINS

What a relief! Not just the win, but the manner of the performance.

When the chips were down, we produced.

The match stats are not a good measure of this game. Forest had more shots, more on target and won twice as many corners but, in reality, Leeds dominated this game all bar a short spell early on when Karl Darlow pulled off a fine save, and Igor Jesus put a close-range header wide.

From then until the 86th minute, Leeds were as good as we’ve seen all season, pressing quickly and aggressively, moving the ball sharply and, when the moments came, taking our chances.

Sean Dyche will not be pleased with the goals his side conceded, but our finishing was clinical.

Jayden Bogle watched Gruev’s pitching wedge of a through ball all the way for the first, and Leeds passed their way through Forest to set up the second; Bogle’s shot was blocked, but he set up Okafor from the rebound. It could have been three if Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s thunderous header had gone in.

An early third in the second half from DCL just about finished Forest, but they did rattle our cage in the final 10 minutes when new boy Lucca outjumped Joe Rodon to head home.

Man of the match: Ilia Gruev.

“A superb effort when it really mattered”

KEITH INGHAM

What an important win! Leeds stormed to an impressive 3-1 victory over Forest.

It took them nine points clear of West Ham. Unfortunately, the gap was reduced back to six as the Hammers beat Burnley 2-0 the following day.

Daniel Farke, surprisingly, made only one change from the team beaten heavily the previous weekend with Noah Okafor replacing the injured Anton Stach. Daniel James returned from injury on the bench as did Jaka Bijol and Lukas Nmecha.

Leeds went ahead when Ilia Gruev’s superb ball over the Forest defence found Jayden Bogle who finished superbly.

Within minutes it was 2-0, Aaronson’s clever flick found James Justin whose effort was blocked but the ball rebounded to Noah Okafor who put the ball into the Forest net. A great first half by Leeds.

Within minutes of the second half starting Leeds were three up, Gruev’s beautiful ball into the area was chested into the net by DCL to give them a lead that should have finished Forest.

Unfortunately, the clean sheet wasn’t kept as Forest scored with four minutes plus injury time to play. Darlow made another great save to keep Leeds two goals ahead.

A superb effort by Leeds when it really mattered.

Man of the match: Ilia Gruev, a ‘blooded’ player, literally.

“Another killer pass”

MIKE GILL

Another great night under the Elland Road lights.

Forest were not the formidable challenge that we all expected and the 3-1 scoreline flattered them.

There was a sign of things to come when Dominic Calvert-Lewin hit the underside of the crossbar with a powerful header.

The proceedings were opened with a peach of a goal from Jayden Bogle.

Ilia Gruev sent a ball over the heads of the Forest defence and Bogle ran on to it like a seasoned striker and slotted home to the delight of the crowd.

Four minutes later, James Justin crossed the ball from the right and Noah Okafor was on hand to whack home his first goal since October.

The second half had just started when Gruev sent in another killer pass which DCL chested deftly into the net.

The Whites could have had more as droves of Forest fans decided that enough was enough as they almost fell over each other on the way to the exits.

Forest managed a late consolation goal when Lorenzo Lucca rose above the Leeds defence to head home.

Man of the match: Ilia Gruev.