Leeds United kicked off another big Premier League weekend with a massive 3-1 at home to Nottingham Forest on Friday. Goals from Jayden Bogle, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin put the Whites in a commanding position as they pulled nine points clear of the drop zone.
After chances came and went for both sides Bogle opened the scoring inside 26 minutes, his brilliant run found by Ilia Gruev before a smart finish beyond Stefan Ortega. And Okafor made it 2-0 a few minutes later, finishing from close range after James Justin’s initial shot was saved.
A perfect start to the second half saw Calvert-Lewin make it three inside five minutes, his brilliantly improvised chest finish handing Gruev a second assist of the night. Forest debutant Lorenzo Lucca came off the bench to pull one back on 86 minutes but it proved little more than a consolation as Daniel Farke’s side saw out the final exchanges.
YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth was at Elland Road to watch the action. Here are his Leeds United player ratings...
1. GK: Karl Darlow
8 - Made four important stops in the first half, one of them spectacular. Little he could do about the goal. Pulled out another fine save late on, then dropped a cross. Overall the solid display that was needed. | Getty Images
2. CB: James Justin
8 - Gave Leeds an added dimension going forward on the right with Bogle. Great composure to set up Okafor's goal. Created a golden chance for Calvert-Lewin. | Getty Images
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3. CB: Joe Rodon
8 - Lots of physical defending. One sloppy clearance off Gibbs-White in the first half and beaten by the giant Lucca for the Forest goal. | Getty Images
4. CB: Pascal Struijk
9 - Won headers, defended on the front foot, passed the ball well and carried it when he had to. | Getty Images
5. RWB: Jayden Bogle
8 - Took his goal brilliantly, defended with physicality and got forward to attack cleverly. Linked up with Justin well. | Getty Images
6. CM: Ethan Ampadu
8 - A largely classy display. Physical when he had to be. Made lots of good tackles. | AFP via Getty Images