Nottingham Forest 0 Leeds United 2 - Reds knocked out of Carabao Cup

The Reds were out for revenge after losing 1-0 to the same opposition in Saturday’s Premier League opener. With that in mind, they made a bright start to this second round tie on the banks of the Trent.

Ola Aina tested James Trafford early on when he slipped while attempting a cross and inadvertently almost found the back of the net. Igor Jesus went even closer a few minutes later with a header which was cleared off the line.

Leeds grew into the game, though, and fired a warning shot through Sean Longstaff with little more than 20 minutes gone. Forest responded and Chris Wood really should have opened the scoring on the half-hour but was thwarted by a last-ditch Joe Rodon tackle.

As was the case at the weekend, there was little to choose between the two sides. Daniel James and Lucas Nmecha tried their luck for the visitors but it was goalless at the break.

It didn’t take long for Leeds to correct that after the restart. Forest gifted them possession and they charged goalwards, with Daniel James the man to break the deadlock.

Wood and Nicolas Dominguez had opportunities to get the Reds on level terms but could not beat Trafford. They were left to rue those chances when James Justin scrambled the ball home to double the visitors’ advantage and kill the game off with 10 minutes to go.

New Updates25th Aug22:10 BSTRatingsNottingham Forest were knocked out of the Carabao Cup at the first time of asking as they lost 2-0 to Leeds United at the City Ground.

The Reds were out for revenge after losing 1-0 to the same opposition in Saturday’s Premier League opener. With that in mind, they made a bright start to this second round tie on the banks of the Trent.

Ola Aina tested James Trafford early on when he slipped while attempting a cross and inadvertently almost found the back of the net. Igor Jesus went even closer a few minutes later with a header which was cleared off the line.

Leeds grew into the game, though, and fired a warning shot through Sean Longstaff with little more than 20 minutes gone. Forest responded and Chris Wood really should have opened the scoring on the half-hour but was thwarted by a last-ditch Joe Rodon tackle.

As was the case at the weekend, there was little to choose between the two sides. Daniel James and Lucas Nmecha tried their luck for the visitors but it was goalless at the break.

It didn’t take long for Leeds to correct that after the restart. Forest gifted them possession and they charged goalwards, with Daniel James the man to break the deadlock.

Wood and Nicolas Dominguez had opportunities to get the Reds on level terms but could not beat Trafford. They were left to rue those chances when a Neco Williams own goal, following a goalmouth scramble, doubled the visitors’ advantage and killed the game off with 10 minutes to go. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the City Ground…

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CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug21:54 BSTFull-timeForest OUT of the Carabao Cup at the first attempt, beaten 2-0 by Leeds in this second round tie.

A smattering of boos at the full-time whistle. Frustration on show perhaps.

Started well enough but this wasn't the best of evenings. Losing twice to Leeds in the space of a few days not what Glasner had in mind

CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug21:48 BSTAdded timeSix minutes extra to play

Some fans have already left, but we have had one who has just invaded the pitch. Of all the games to do that in...

Anyway, it is all over bar the shouting here. Would take some effort from Forest to come back now

CommentsSarah Clapson‌25th Aug21:35 BSTGOALLeeds double their advantage.

Got to be that. Can't see Forest coming back now.

Not entirely sure who scored that. Could have been Justin or Nmecha, although seems to have been given as a Neco Williams own goal as he tried to block it on the line.

Was a right scramble

CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug21:19 BSTSubsGlasner turns to his bench to try to turn this around. Four subs on at once.

Murillo, CHO, Ndoye, Netz on for Diomande, Jesus, Kalimuendo and Aina

Forest need something, otherwise they are out of the League Cup. Half an hour in which to get back into this.

And with that, Murillo sets up Dominguez with a driven pass. Argentine hit the target but Trafford saved

CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug21:14 BSTCLOSEWood close to getting Forest on level terms. Super break from Kalimuendo, who has been the real (only?) positive tonight. Teed up Wood, who tried to sweep the ball in but Trafford was equal to it.

Leeds immediately went down the other end and almost bagged a second. Okafor's shot wasn't too far wide. Poor defending from the Reds

CommentsSarah Clapson‌25th Aug21:09 BSTGOALLeeds take the lead in the 50th minute. James with the goal.

Poor from Forest. Think it was Aina with a header that went straight to a Leeds player. Ball played through to James, who was clean through. Williams tried to chase back to catch him but to no avail.

Forest with work to do

CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug21:03 BSTSecond halfHere we go with the second half, then. It has got to be better, surely!!

No extra-time at least tonight. It will go straight to penalties if a winner cannot be found in 90 minutes.

Both sides have had their moments but this has definitely not been a classic cup tie

CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug20:47 BSTHalf-timeThat's it for the first half, referee blows his whistle.

Just as it was at half-time on Saturday, no goals in the opening 45 minutes.

Been a few half-chances for both sides but not been a particularly great half all round.

Here's hoping for better in the second half...

CommentsSarah Clapson‌25th Aug20:41 BST39minsArgh!

Aina has to do better there. Ball comes to him on the right. Has plenty of time but his touch isn't great and a wild effort flies off target.

Been a bit stuttery from Forest since that early momentum. Some decent passages of play in fits and starts but not a great deal by way of entertainment or action

CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug20:32 BSTARRGHWood denied by a last-ditch tackle.

Crowd were on their feet, they were convinced a goal was coming - as was I!

Lovely pass from Kalimuendo. Wood did well to get past one defender but then was thwarted when Joe Rodon steamed in. Rodon gave a little fist-pump afterwards. It really was a heck of a tackle.

At the other end, Nmecha wasn't too far away with a cheeky effort

CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug20:30 BST29minsGlasner has just been shouting some instructions to Wood from the touchline. Tapped the back of his hamstring so not exactly sure what the message was.

The front man hasn't really got involved so far.

After that bright start from Forest, Leeds have grown into it

CommentsSarah Clapson‌25th Aug20:24 BSTWarning shotLeeds haven't created a great deal but still capable of causing problems. They showed that on Saturday and Sels has just been drawn into action by Longstaff.

Was far too easy for the Leeds man. Latched on to a pull-back and had loads of time and space in the box. He rather scuffed his shot, which made it comfortable for Sels in the end.

Glasner said he felt Forest were stable at the back on Saturday. Looked a little bit uncomfortable there, though

CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug20:14 BSTCLOSENow Jesus goes close for the Reds.

A throw-in is flicked on, Jesus is well placed and looks to head the ball into the far corner. Think it was Justin who headed it off the line.

Forest knocking on the door. This is much better

CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug20:11 BST9minsForest have certainly started better than they did on Saturday. Bit livelier and with more energy about them. They were pretty lacklustre early on at the weekend.

Diomande has put himself about a bit already. Schlager has been relatively neat and tidy, keeping it simple with some passes.

As I write that, Aina forces a save from Trafford. Terrific pass from Dominguez set him free down the right, slipped as he took the shot but still managed to work the keeper

CommentsSarah Clapson‌25th Aug20:03 BST2minsEarly effort from Williams from distance. Wasn't troubling Trafford but shows Forest have started with intent. They were quickly on the attack after kick-off.

Glasner talked about wanting to create more chances after Saturday's defeat. He's certainly got attacking threat in the XI with Kalimuendo, Jesus and Wood

CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug20:01 BSTHere we goRight then, we are up and running with tonight's Carabao Cup second round tie.

Excellent rendition of MOK. Sure Glasner will have enjoyed that.

There was a warm embrace between the Austrian and Farke on the touchline when they both came out. Not long since they shook hands after Saturday's game!

CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug19:57 BSTHere they areTeams are out. Chris Wood with the armband and leading out the Reds this evening. Going to be interesting to see how the link-up between the New Zealander, Igor Jesus and Arnaud Kalimuendo works.

Glasner said he enjoyed MOK on Saturday and that it gave him goosebumps. Even better under the lights, even if it is still not dark yet and it is not a full house at the City Ground.

Just before the teams came out, Yates (who is injured) took his place in the stand to watch the game and got a round of applause. He was high-fiving fans as he did so.

Kick-off moments away now.

CommentsSarah Clapson‌25th Aug19:46 BSTAlmost timeWarm-ups done and dusted. Forest have headed back down the tunnel to the changing room.

Kick-off is 15 minutes or so away.

Here's hoping we get a different game and a different result to Saturday. Thought Forest were worthy of at least a point on the day but could have dealt with Stach's free-kick better - both Sels and the wall.

Chance to put things right, at least to some extent, tonight.

CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug19:27 BSTGetting readyForest are out for their pre-match warm-up.

Lovely night here at the City Ground, although imagine the temperature will soon drop a few degrees - I've broke out my coat for the first time in a few months!

Really good opportunity for Forest to bounce back from Saturday tonight. Would be a nice confidence boost and a good cup run always goes down well.

Glasner said in his pre-match press conference the aim always has to be to win whatever competition he is in, but equally he doesn't look too far ahead. Win tonight first!

Looking forward to seeing Diomande in action and Schlager from the start.

CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug19:23 BSTGlasner on transfersHead coach Oliver Glasner is confident Nottingham Forest will get the signings they want over the line before the transfer window closes.

The Reds have brought in three summer additions already, in midfielder Xaver Schlager, defender Ousmane Diomande and back-up goalkeeper Steven Benda. Glasner said last week the idea of further strengthening in midfield has been placed on the backburner, despite the club having previously targeted Tottenham Hotspur’s Lucas Bergvall.

The Austrian wants to see two new faces through the City Ground doors before the 11pm September 1 deadline, with a right-back and a striker wanted. He has insisted Forest ripping up their plans following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Leeds United would just be a sign of “panic”.

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CommentsSarah Clapson‌25th Aug18:51 BSTTeam newsForest team news is in - and it's a strong line-up for tonight's cup tie.

Sels; Diomande, Milenkovic, Jair; Aina, Schlager, Dominguez, Williams; Jesus, Kalimuendo; Wood. Subs: John, Murillo, Sangare, Hudson-Odoi, Ndoye, Hutchinson, McAtee, Netz, Abbott.

Debut for Diomande after he was an unused substitute at the weekend. No MGW due to a slight knee injury.

Not too many changes made by Glasner. He faced a difficult balancing act given the quick turnaround from Saturday and the trip to Anfield this weekend

CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug18:38 BSTBreaking newsNottingham Forest have reached an agreement with Chelsea for Liam Delap, with the front man set to join on a permanent basis for a club record fee.

Strengthening their forward ranks has been a priority for the Reds this summer. They have brought in three new faces so far and head coach Oliver Glasner has earmarked adding another two before the transfer window closes on September 1.

One of those is on course to be Delap. Forest are believed to be set to splash out in the region of £45 million for the 23-year-old.

Read more, here

CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug18:30 BSTHave your sayYou can still have your say on where you think Forest will finish in the Premier League table this season.

Has your prediction changed at all after Saturday?

It was only the first game and there is a very long way to go so plenty of time for the players to get used to Glasner. The Austrian has been a slow starter at clubs before and it has worked out well in the end.

We want to hear how you think the Reds will fare this term. Have your say in our poll

CommentsSarah Clapson‌25th Aug18:30 BSTReflections on Saturday's defeat...The thing about new eras is they can often take a bit of time to bear fruit, and it looks as though some patience might be required for this latest one at Nottingham Forest.

Defeat to Leeds United at the City Ground was not the way Oliver Glasner's first competitive game in charge was supposed to go. It was also not the way the 2026/27 Premier League season was supposed to start for a team with designs on pushing for a return to Europe.

But progress rarely follows a perfect script or takes a linear path. More importantly, the course of a campaign is not set by what happens on the opening day - the Reds can tell you that much from comfortably beating Brentford 12 months ago only to then find themselves in a relegation battle while burning through four managers.

The hope is Glasner can bring both stability and success. The latter will not come about overnight, though, as Saturday’s 1-0 reverse showed there is plenty of work still to be done.

Read more, here

CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug18:30 BSTKeep up to date with the latest Forest newsDelivered straight to your inbox, our regular email bulletins feature all the latest Forest news, views, gossip, opinion and transfer updates.

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Delivered straight to your inbox, our regular email bulletins feature all the latest Forest news, views, gossip, opinion and transfer updates.

Social Media: You can also get all the latest updates by following us on social media here Facebook and X

WhatsApp: You can also get all your favourite content from the Nottingham Post's Forest team on WhatsApp. Click here to sign up for breaking updates about the biggest stories in and around the club.

App: We also have a free app which you can download. It is always up-to-date with the latest Forest news. You can personalise the content you see by selecting Nottingham Forest as one of your designated topics. You can get it from Apple here and for Android here.

CommentsSarah Clapson25th Aug18:30 BSTUp for the cup!Good evening.

It is take two for Forest against Leeds as the teams meet once again at the City Ground, this time in the Carabao Cup.

Forest were so close to getting something in Saturday's league game but suffered a late kick in the gut with Anton Stach's free-kick.

Sure Glasner will have learnt plenty about his squad from that match. He has been clear it is going to take time for him to get the Reds where he wants them to be.

In the meantime, there is the perfect opportunity for Forest to put things right tonight. Sure they will be taking this competition seriously as winning silverware is part of what Glasner has been brought in for.