Leeds destroy Forest!

Simon Grayson's Leeds side demolished Nottingham Forest after a well fought first half, full of controversy. The sides entered the game 5th and 6th respectively in the league and given all the history it had all the ingredients to be a cracker.

Leeds showed the early running as Max Gradel was brought down on the edge of the box before squandering the chance much to the frustration of his boss. Forest responded with their own free-kick in a dangerous area. Lewis McGugan set his sights but it was an anticlimax for the travelling supporters as his shot was drilled into the wall.

It was a scrappy start with both sides trying to find their rhythm. Forest looked the more likely as they started to pen Leeds into their own half. Despite the superior possession they struggled to trouble Kasper Schmeichel. United had a few chances of their own. Robert Snodgrass used his trickery on the edge of the box before creating space for himself, but the Scotsman produced a timid effort that Lee Camp safely gathered.

The opening half an hour had frustrated the home fans but their this encounter was about to get a shot of adrenaline. On 35 minutes the visitors should have been in-front when the ball was squared to Marcus Tudgay in the box leaving Schmeichel nowhere but Tudgay's lackluster strike was blocked on the line by in-form Leigh Bromby. Leeds looked to break but as Gradel threaded the ball through to George McCartney, Forest midfielder Chris Cohen lunged two footed at pace and left McCartney on the deck. Grayson was furious and entered the field of play causing a brawl including players and staff. This remonstrated memories of the reverse fixture when players lost their rags after a stamp on winger Sanchez Watt.

Referee Mark Halsey consulted with his linesman before producing a what would be a pivotal red card for Cohen. Replays showed it was a perfectly timed challenge and that he got the ball. However in the rules of the game if you come of the ground two footed to make a challenge it is a red card. The atmosphere at a packed Elland Road had suddenly come apparent as the sides went into half-time at 0-0.

Grayson had to rally his troops to ensure they made the extra man count and whatever his words where at half-time worked a trick at his Leeds side took the lead on 51 minutes. Snodgrass played a spectacular ball for Eric Lichaj who crossed for Jonny Howson and the Leeds skipper controlled the ball well before poking the ball past Camp. Billy Davies and his side were up against it. United added for misery to 10 man Forest 7 minutes later when Luciano Becchio headed home after Bromby's header came back off the post giving the Argentine his 17th league goal.

The Elland Road faithful were at full voice and a crucial 3 points seemed ever closer. United were cruising and were so nearly 3 up when Snodgrass saw his curling effort hit the top of the crossbar. But it wouldn't be Leeds United without giving the home fans a scare when substitute Gareth McCleary turned Barry Barran well on the edge of the box and bent the ball into the top corner leaving Schmeichel motionless.

The next 5 minutes were crucial as Forest looked to put United under the cosh but as it has been so many times in the past weeks Gradel popped up with a touch of class. The Ivorian made it 3-0 when Bradley Johnson headed the ball to him just inside the box allowing him to hook the ball into the bottom corner magnificently.

Grayson handed a debut to loanee Jake Livermore in place of Barry Bannan and it wasn't long until he made an impact. Livermore turned well into the box and tested Camp, he parried to Becchio but his shot was somehow saved by Camp, it fell to Gradel who smashed the ball into the roof of the net rounding off a spectacular 4-1 victory.

Leeds move that much closer to securing a play-off spot and put more pressure on Nowich in 2nd.

Att. 29,524

Leeds 4-1 Nottingham Forest

Howson 51 - Leeds

Becchio 58 - Leeds

McCleary 65 - Notts Forest

Gradel 73 - Leeds

Gradel 87 - Leeds