Leeds United vs. Nottingham Forest quick recap: Wood and Doukara fire Leeds back into third

Pre-Match Thoughts:

Leeds welcome back Jansson, O’Kane and Dallas to the starting XI for tonight’s game. Jansson has especially been missed since his suspension obtained against Cambridge. I am pleased to see both Dallas and O’Kane recalled tonight as they have valuable experience at this level: it will be needed after the defeat at the weekend.

In terms of tonight’s game, I expect the Leeds players to react after the defeat against Barnsley with a dominating display. Nottingham Forest have struggled at the back this season and if Leeds can get at them early and dominate the middle of the park, they will stand a good chance of taking the 3 points tonight and further cementing their playoff position.

1st half:

• Roofe crosses from the right to the back post where Dallas puts the ball wide. 0-0 1 min
• Wonderful by Green as he tips Assombalonga's shot over. The Leeds players switched off and were nearly punished. 0-0 12 mins
• Offside Goal! - Wood puts in the ball into the net but its ruled offside. 0-0 15 mins
• Hernandez and Wood with some nice work, however, Dallas shoots over. 0-0 16 mins
• Hernandez has a go from distance but it’s wide and we are still goalless. 0-0 on 27 mins
• Assombalonga with another shot – a free-kick is drifted in and him but his volley is over 0-0 on 29 mins
• Berardi smashes a volley over from the edge of the box but it goes over. 0-0 on 33 mins
• Nottingham Forest have struggled this season but they look very organised and disciplined this evening. 0-0 37 mins
• Roofe shoots from the edge of the box but his shot flies wide. 0-0 40 mins
• Nottingham Forest cross the ball but Bridcutt heads away to stop Lichaj opening the scoring. 0-0 half time.

Half time Thoughts

The difference of quality is evident, Leeds are definitely the better team but we are struggling to create anything of worth in the 1^st half. We have switched off a couple of times tonight and we were nearly punished twice by Assombalonga but luckily, his finishing has been poor. We need to improve to take the points tonight. MOT

2nd half:

• Wood and Henderson come together and Henderson is cut and needs treatment. (no that bad though) 0-0 48 mins
• Roofe has a header from a Hernandez free kick but he glances it wide. 0-0 50 mins
• GOALLLLL WOOD!!!!!!!!!!- Chris Wood scores his 20^th Goal this season, He smashed it home from a knock down from a Hernandez corner 1-0 Leeds 55 mins

• Nottingham Forest change- Thomas Lam replaces Hobbs 1-0. 57 mins
• 2nd change for Nottingham Forest- Niklas Bendtner replaces Jamie Ward. 68 mins
• Leeds are the better side and are in full control as we approach the last 20 minutes.
• Leeds 1st Change- Doukara replaces Dallas- Dallas deserves credit tonight, absolutely class all night
• GOALLLL DOUKARA YOU BEAUTY!!!!!- Doukara first time volley nearly breaks the net, Fantastic goal!!! take a bow!!!

• Wood clean through on goal but shoots and it goes over the bar. 79 mins
• 2nd and 3rd Changes for Leeds- Vieira on for O’Kane & Hernandez off & Mowatt on 80 mins
• Roofe nearly makes it 3 with a wonderful shot but just wide. 85 mins
• Leeds in complete control, Garry Monk name rings throughout Elland Road.
• Four minutes of added time, Leeds are going 3^rd tonight. MOT
• Full time- Leeds 2-0 Nottingham Forest- called it!!

Full Time Thoughts

Leeds completely dominated the 2^nd half, they played with real quality. Wood scored his 20th goal of the season and Doukara scored the goal of the season period. Bridcutt showed why he’s the captain - he controlled everything in the middle of the pitch. Brighton, Newcastle and every other team in the Championship: take note. MOT