Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche rued the defensive lapses that contributed to his side’s 3-1 defeat at Leeds tonight – a result that leaves them firmly in the relegation dogfight.
The hosts scored twice in four first-half minutes to take control of a game between the two teams that started the evening perched just above the bottom three.
Jayden Bogle got the first after Ilia Gruev was given too much time and space to pick out a perfect through ball. And James Justin then carved his way through the Forest backline before squaring for Noah Okafor to make it 2-0.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin added a third at the start of the second half with Gruev again the architect.
Forest, who lost defensive lynchpin Murillo to injury before the game, pulled one back through debutant Lorenzo Lucca but it was too little, too late.
Leeds deserved it, admits Dyche
Dyche told BBC Match of the Day: “Three awful goals, you can’t give away goals like that at this level. Credit to them, they deserved it. We warned the players, we know the atmosphere in here and all the talk of it.
“We started playing well, we made two chances, but you can’t get done with a straight ball over the top with your unit all staring at the ball. Then we give away a second that’s not great. I actually thought we were still in it at that point. Then the third goal and you’re just scratching your head because they’re miles off what we usually do as a unit.
“We expected a fast start, I thought we handled that as well as we could. I thought we calmed it and we found pockets, started asking questions of their back line. To concede the first… they drive you mad those ones. They’re the basic principles. We tried to play offside for no reason, I don’t like that anyway. Then they score a goal out of a nothing situation. Then the third is a real headscratcher.
“I’m not going to over-question the players and I thought the subs were good. The mentality is there.”
We responded well, says happy Farke
Forest remain six points ahead of West Ham, who go to Burnley tomorrow, while Leeds pulled nine points clear of the Hammers.
Leeds were beaten 4-0 by Arsenal last weekend but boss Daniel Farke was delighted by their response.
He told Sky Sports: “It is always important how you respond after a difficult result and so far more or less we have responded well. There are games that, of course it is still just three points, but it feels more important. Whenever the pressure was on and we had to deliver, we have delivered. This is the sign of a winning mentality.
“You could feel it today the whole day, during the game and at half time, what it meant to the players and the desire they showed. So I am pretty happy with this mature behaviour that we showed. Also at this level we were asked to show ourselves and managed to take three points so I am pretty pleased and proud of the lads.”
