Brennan Johnson scored the only goal as Nottingham Forest beat Leeds to move six points clear of the relegation places.
Forest were second best throughout the first half but led at the break thanks to Johnson’s hard-hitting strike in the 14th minute.
After Leeds failed to clear a free-kick down the right, the ball rebounded for the Welsh striker to fire into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
The hosts were indebted to rookie keeper Keylor Navas, on loan from Paris St-Germain, who made important first-half saves from Wilfried Gnonto, Luke Ayling and Luis Sinisterra, who put up Leeds’ best chance of the game above the six meter bar. out.
Leeds’ threat all but disappeared in the second half and Forest comfortably held on for a third win in five Premier League games, moving up to 13th in the table.
Meanwhile, Jesse Marsch’s Leeds have now gone seven league games without a win and remain 17th, above the relegation zone on goal difference alone.
Navas shows his class on his Premier League debut
Of Forest’s 29 signings since the start of last summer, Navas – a three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid – was perhaps the biggest name.
He quickly showed why he was so highly rated, stepping off his line and dropping sharply to deny Sinisterra within the first two minutes.
Forest struggled to start at all in the first half with adventures in the Leeds half and although the visitors never besieged Navas’ goal, the Costa Rican was there to make a number of crucial interventions when he was called. .
Ayling and Gnonto had efforts in goal turned away, with the former also seeing his header come back through goal pushed away by Navas past the waiting Patrick Bamford.
With Steve Cooper’s side much improved after the break, Navas had a much calmer stint but had already proven themselves.
A reliable goalscorer is often touted as crucial in a relegation game – Johnson is starting to take on that role – but a goalkeeper to bail you out when you’re not at your best is priceless.
Even at 36, Navas looks perfectly equipped to be that man for Forest.
More soon.
- Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever – here’s all you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment
