Anton Stach scored a dramatic late free-kick as Leeds United secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. The visitors clinched the points in a fiercely contested Premier League encounter.
The German midfielder broke the deadlock in the 88th minute with a sublime set-piece. His clinical strike left the home supporters stunned in the closing moments of normal time.
Forest had come agonizingly close to finding the opening goal earlier in the contest when defender Nikola Milenkovic beat Jair Cunha in the air. However, his glancing header struck the upright with Leeds goalkeeper James Trafford beaten.
Leeds also threatened to move ahead when winger Harry Wilson converted from close range. The Wales international saw his celebrations cut short as the effort was disallowed for offside.
The visitors exerted early pressure through Ethan Ampadu's long throw-ins, which created an opportunity for Stach to unleash a deflected drive. Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels reacted swiftly to gather the loose ball.
Wilson also looked lively on the flank during the early stages, fashioning space before driving a low cross into the box. Sels was alert once more to smother the delivery before attackers could pounce.
Forest defender Ola Aina received an early booking from referee Robert Jones as challenges intensified across a tight midfield battle. Both sides traded possession without finding an immediate breakthrough before the interval.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin spearheaded the Leeds attack alongside Brenden Aaronson, while Forest introduced Chris Wood and Dan Ndoye from the substitutes' bench in search of an attacking spark.
Just as the fixture appeared destined to finish goalless, Stach took centre stage with two minutes of normal time remaining. The midfielder delivered a decisive set-piece past Sels to send the away supporters into raptures.
Leeds successfully navigated stoppage time to secure maximum points on the road. The victory brought an end to Forest's lengthy unbeaten top-flight home run against their Yorkshire rivals.
