Leeds beat Nottingham Forest for the second time in four days at the City Ground last night, progressing to the third round of the EFL Cup. Even with six changes to the starting line-up, Farke's men ran out 2-0 victors, with second half goals from Daniel James and James Justin. There was clear continuity in the way Leeds played, though it also underlined that more work is needed on squad depth. Nico Elvedi was the exception, stepping into central defence for an excellent debut that leaves Farke with a selection headache ahead of Saturday's game against Brentford at Elland Road.

Forest were the better side early on. Ola Aina almost caught James Trafford too far across his goal when Nicolás Domínguez spread the ball wide, but Trafford covered his near post, and minutes later Justin had to head a goalbound Igor Jesus effort clear. Sean Longstaff, playing as the inside-right in Leeds' now-customary 3-4-2-1, dinked a shot from a tight angle so far wide that Forest won a throw-in, then should have scored five minutes later after Ampadu released James with a beautiful ball around the corner, only to stab wide of Sels. The moment of the half belonged to Joe Rodon, though, who slid in to deny Chris Wood after the striker had nutmegged Tarik Muharemovic and looked certain to score on the counter.

Longstaff and James combined beautifully for the opener early in the second half, the Welshman smashing the ball right-footed across goal and beating veteran keeper Sels for pace. Nmecha should have made it two but kicked fresh air, leaving Justin to force the issue, with Neco Williams initially credited with the own goal. Trafford then protected the lead with a wonderful low save from Domínguez after some sloppy play by Muharemovic; it's fair to say Leeds haven't had a keeper this influential since the Nigel Martyn era, twenty-three years ago. Forest made a quadruple substitution to try and force their way back into it, but Farke's replacements outperformed the men they replaced, and Leeds saw the game out comfortably.

	Line Up		Nat	Match Events
	1	Trafford, James Goalkeeper			8.4
	24	Justin, James Defender			7.8
	5	Muharemović, Tarik Defender			7.9
	6	Rodon, Joe Defender			8.3
	30	Elvedi, Nico Defender			7.9
	4	Ampadu, Ethan Midfielder			7.8
	8	Longstaff, Sean Midfielder			6.2
	22	Tanaka, Ao Midfielder			7.7
	7	James, Daniel Midfielder			★8.7
	19	Okafor, Noah Midfielder			7.1
	14	Nmecha, Lukas Forward			7.0
	Subs		Nat	Match Events
	23	Perri, Lucas Goalkeeper		Unused Sub
	50	Cresswell, Alfie Midfielder		Unused Sub
	65	Lienou, Jayden Defender		Unused Sub
	2	Bogle, Jayden Defender			6.8
	15	Bijol, Jaka Defender		Unused Sub
	18	Stach, Anton Midfielder			6.9
	11	Aaronson, Brenden Midfielder			7.4
	10	Wilson, Harry Midfielder			6.7
	9	Calvert-Lewin, Dominic Forward			6.4

		Debuts	Nat	DOB	Joined
		Elvedi, Nico Defender		30/09/1996 (29)	19/08/2026