Match Report - Leeds vs Nottingham Forest

An inspired return to Elland Road for Leeds United in which Garry Monk's side cleared any demons that could have been left behind from Saturdays clash at Barnsley.

Leeds looked resolute at the back and the threat of a goal from the home side had been coming from the kick off. Mr Reliable Chris Wood bagged another goal to add to his tally and a screamer from Souleymane Doukara was enough to see the game through as Leeds finished 2-0 winners.

The powerful attacking football we have got used to under Garry Monk nearly resulted in a goal as Kemar Roofe sent a dangerous ball into the box with less than 30 seconds on the clock.

However, the first half had very little chances and apart from a glorious save from Rob Green to deny Britt Assombalonga and Chris Wood had the ball in the net on 13 minutes only for him to be adjudged offside being the main highlights.

It wasn't a poor performance but it was a half when Leeds seemed to struggle with Forest's game plan and were second to their own balls on many occasions.

A different Leeds came out for the second half and it looked like whatever Garry Monk had said at half time really got the gears going for the home side.

Within 10 minutes Leeds were ahead after a corner from Pablo Hernandez ended in a glorious chance dropping to Chris Wood in the six yard box. It wasn't the most delicate goal but Wood's intuition and current form allowed the striker to steady himself before guiding the ball past a mass of defenders.

​Leeds then took charge of the game and some steady play and after an array of chances they doubled their lead from another corner with an exquisite effort from substitute Souleymane Doukara after the corner was directed out of the box on 74 minutes.

It was Doukara's first touch of the game and it was truly magical. With his side to goal he plucked the ball out of the air and sent the ball flying into the top left corner. Most of the people in the press area were stunned by what they had just seen, I just jumped up and applauded.

Chris Wood then saw two glorious occasions to reach his 21st and 22nd goals of the season. His first opportunity was after a mishap at the back found found one on one with the keeper and his delicate chip was just over the bar. The second occasion was after some truly inspirational play from Luke Ayling and Alex Mowatt saw the ball played in from the right hand side to an unmarked Chris Wood in the box, unfortunately he was unable to control the ball and the chance slipped away.

Even with Leeds two up with seconds to go you could see the passion from Garry Monk as he screamed at his players to clear the box as Forest tried desperately to pull a goal back.

Garry Monk's post match comments:

"The main think tonight was to bounce straight back and get rid of any negative thoughts from Saturday."

On the first half - "a mucky first half. Forest came with a game plan and wouldn't allow us to play. They frustrated us."

On the second half - "we had to tweak it at half time and play our intensity, we knew the chances would soon come".

Stat: Leeds are now unbeaten in 6 games at home, with 6 clean sheets too.

On the performances at Elland Road - "Games are getting harder each week. Teams now come to play Leeds with a game plan. Loves both attack and defence and this has helped with the performance."

On Wood's 20th goal - "it's an incredible achievement but I'm not too interested in individual achievements only in the three points. Wood knows this and he's a leader and wants to keep going. Wants Wood to push more and he will ask more from Wood before the end of the season."

On scoring from set pieces - "in the Championship you have to have many weapons to get the points, set pieces are one of the weapons we have used well. The league doesn't allow you to play football for 90 minutes so at times you have to call on these weapons to get you goals."

Really positive stuff from a very happy Monk. A fantastic game to cover and a real privilege to be in the press area. A massive thank you to the club and press officer for arranging this.

By Ryan Ingham