Farke’s Revival Continues as Leeds Brush Aside Forest
Leeds United took a massive step toward Premier League safety with a dominant 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest. The win provides a vital cushion for the Yorkshire club as they prepare for a grueling run of fixtures against the league’s heavyweights.
Clinical Finishing at Elland Road
The Whites established control early and never truly looked back, powered by standout individual performances:
- Jayden Bogle: The defender set the tone in the 26th minute with an “exceptional” opener that left pundit Chris Sutton in awe.
- Noah Okafor: The forward snapped a goal drought to double the lead, effectively putting the game out of Forest’s reach before the break.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin: The striker reached a personal milestone, netting his 10th goal of the campaign to make it 3-0.
- Consolation: Lorenzo Lucca managed to pull one back for the visitors, but it did little to threaten the final outcome.
The Farke Factor: From Pressure to Passion
Daniel Farke’s tenure has seen a dramatic turnaround since late 2025, when his job security was openly questioned. By adjusting his tactical setup and style under immense pressure, he has steered Leeds away from a seemingly certain return to the Championship.
Farke’s renewed energy was on full display during the match. Journalist Graham Smyth reported an “unseen” moment where the manager vigorously rallied the Elland Road crowd while Okafor battled for possession—a gesture that went unnoticed by TV cameras but resonated with the home support.
A Crucial Buffer Ahead of “Gauntlet” Month
This victory against a direct relegation rival is particularly significant given the daunting schedule awaiting Leeds in February.
Upcoming Fixtures:
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
| :— | :— | :— |
| Feb 10 | Chelsea | Away |
| Feb 21 | Aston Villa | Away |
| Feb 28 | Manchester City | Home |
Despite the difficulty of these matches, Leeds have reason for optimism; they have already defeated Chelsea this season and pushed City to the limit in their previous encounter. With a nine-point gap now potentially open over the bottom three, Farke’s side has given themselves the breathing room they desperately needed.
Note on the text: Similar to the previous report, this article again erroneously places Sean Dyche in the Nottingham Forest dugout, despite him being the manager of Everton.
