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Nottingham Forest logo
Championship
Dec 26, 2012 at 12.15pm UK
 
Leeds logo

4-2

Blackstock (61'), Sharp (44' pen., 54'), Austin (57' og.)
FT(HT: 1-1)
Green (12'), Somma (90')

Live Commentary: Nottingham Forest 4-2 Leeds United - as it happened

Live text coverage of Leeds United's game at Nottingham Forest in the Championship.
2

Nottingham Forest came from behind to beat Leeds United 4-2 at the City Ground this lunchtime.

Three goals in six minutes helped Forest to their win, as Leeds struggled with the home side's pace at the start of the second half.

The win moves Forest up to eighth in the table, moving above Leeds with the win.

Read how all the action unfolded below:


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Let's take a look at the starting line-ups for today's game...

Nottingham Forest starting XI: Camp, Hutton, Ward, Collins, Halford, Cohen, Guedioura, Majewski, Reid, Blackstock, Sharp

Leeds United starting XI: Kenny, Byram, Tate, Lees, Drury, Green, Brown, Austin, Thomas, Becchio, Diouf

Forest have made four changes to the side that lost to Watford last weekend including Greg Halford, who comes into the Forest team in place of Danny Ayala, who picked up a red card last time out.

Neil Warnock has made three changes from Saturday's win over Middlesbrough. Among them, Rodolph Austin returns from injury in place of David Norris.

Leeds are the in-form side in the Championship, with five wins in their last six games, while Forest have had mixed results of late.

The Whites have won their last two games against Nottingham Forest, while Forest have not beaten Leeds at the City Ground since 1996.

Neil Warnock tells Sky Sports News: "We know Forest are a good side, we're expecting them to come out of the traps."

Sean O'Driscoll adds: "We're still trying to find that elusive blend of consistent performances and consistent results. Overall we're probably one or two results off where we should be."


Nottingham seems to be avoiding the rain that has plagued fixtures elsewhere in the country. It's bright and sunny at the City Ground at the moment, with a few clouds in the sky, although there is a chance of rain later this afternoon. The latest weather update shows that it is 7°C at the stadium.

Luciano Becchio will be a big threat for the visitors today - the Argentinian has seven goals from his last seven games.

The teams are on the pitch and being introduced to the crowd. We're just minutes from kickoff.

Leeds get the game underway.

Leeds start well, taking the ball into the Forest area inside the opening minute. The ball goes out for a corner.

Leeds's first corner is put out for a second, which is taken by El-Hadji Diouf, and easily dealt with by Forest's defenders. The home side take the ball up the other end in their first attacking move of the game, but the ball goes out for a goal kick.

Dexter Blackstock send a cross into the Leeds box, but Billy Sharp can't get on the ball, and Paddy Kenny takes it.

CHANCE! A cross falls to Blackstock right in front of Kenny's goal, but the striker fails to connect with it, and the ball goes behind.

Forest have had the bulk of the possession in the opening minutes, easily taking the ball away from Leeds and pushing for an early goal. Aside from their first-minute chance, there's been little in the way of attacking play from the visitors.

Leeds are on the ball now, Thomas takes the ball in to the box and tries to get a cross in, but Forest make a block and clear the ball.

GOAL! Forest 0-1 Leeds (Green)

A good couple of minutes from Leeds has paid off. Thomas crossed ball to Green, who headed towards Diouf. Diouf's strike was blocked but Forest didn't clear the ball, and Green was there to smash the ball in to the back of the net.

Forest are looking for a quick equaliser. Majewski takes a shot for the home side, but his effort is off-target, and Leeds are back on the ball.

Leeds look in control here, they seem happy to let Forest have the ball, but are easily taking possession away when they want.

Leeds get a free kick near the sideline level with the penalty area. Diouf takes a curling shot towards goal, but it's an easy take for Lee Camp.

Alan Tate is causing all sorts of problems for Blackstock. The Leeds defender has been marking the striker closely, preventing him from unleashing his pace. Blackstock could have had several good chances but for Tate's efforts.

Austin takes a shot from range. His effort is high and sails over the crossbar, in the midfielder's first game in six weeks.

Hutton crosses the ball in to Leeds' box but there's no-one there to get on the end of it. Forest are creating chances, but Leeds' back four are preventing any real goal scoring opportunities for Forest.

Drury crosses the ball to Becchio on the end of the area. Becchio heads the ball on for Diouf, but the Senegalese striker isn't quick enough to get on the ball, and it goes behind for a goal kick.

Paddy Kenny has to make his first save for the game as Blackstock attempts to toe-poke the ball in to the net from a free kick. The Leeds keeper tips the ball wide for a corner, which Forest then put behind to give Leeds a goal kick.

A back heel from Sharp sets up Reid, but his powerful strike is blocked by Leeds. Forest win a throw which is cleared by United.

The game is being played mainly in midfield at the moment, with both sides making an occasional break towards the goals.

BOOKING: Michael Brown picks up the first yellow card of the game for a late challenge on Guedioura. The Leeds man isn't happy with the referee's decision.

Forest are seeing the majority of the ball at the moment. Over the last 10 minutes they've had almost two thirds of the possession. However, Leeds are still we organised at the back, preventing the home side from creating chances.

Hutton takes a throw and the ball falls to Majewski, but Leeds block his attempt. Moments later Forest appeal for a penalty after the ball appears to strike a hand, but Lee Probert waves away the home side's shouts.

Forest have another penalty shout, Tate appearing to have held back Blackstock. Once again their appeals are turned down.

Forest are looking strong as half-time nears. Leeds have defended well for most of the opening 40 minutes, but have looked a little ragged during Forest's last few attempts.

PENALTY TO FOREST

Sharp is brought down in the box by Lees and Probert points to the box. Sharp steps up to take...

GOAL! Forest 1-1 Leeds (Billy Sharp)

Sharps' penalty is good. He sends Paddy Kenny to the left and slots the ball right to level the scores just before the break.

Forest are still pressing, and are awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. Reid takes the kick, and forces a save from Kenny, who puts the ball behind for a corner, which is cleared.

HALF-TIME: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Leeds United

A half of two halves. Leeds were dominant for much of the opening 25 minutes, but Forest fought their way back in to the match to secure an equalising penalty just before half-time.

Forest may argue that they should have two more spot kicks, as Byrom appeared to handle the ball, before Tate held Blackstock back.

Leeds' fans have traveled in numbers to Nottingham. United's official twitter account says there are 4,000 at the City Ground, but images from Sky Sports News show them looking unhappy following Forest's penalty.

Forest saw slightly more of the ball in the first 45 minutes, with 52% of the possession compared to 48% for Leeds, while both sides had three shots on target.

As the teams get ready to come back out for the second half, Forest will be looking to continue the momentum that they ended the first half with, while Leeds will look for another quick start. If the first half is anything to go by, it should be another well match 45 minutes of football.

The team are back on the pitch, and neither side have made any changes.

Forest get the second half underway.

A tentative opening couple of minutes to the second half. Forest have possession of the ball but have mainly kept it among the midfield and the back four.

Leeds force a corner. Camp punches the ball away and the midfield possession battle resumes. Both sides look a little edgy early on.

Sharp makes a break down the side line and crosses in to the penalty area, but Brown is there put the ball out for Leeds.

CHANCE! Forest win a corner, which Reid takes. Blackstock breaks away from Tate to head the corner, but his effort is inches high.

Green is booked for a rash challenge on Majewski, the second yellow card of the day for Leeds.

Forest appear to be continuing from where they left off in the first half. Leeds are struggling to contain their pacy play.

GOAL! Forest 2-1 Leeds (Sharp)

Billy Sharp gets his second, taking the ball around Kenny and firing the ball in to the net to put Forest ahead for the first time.

GOAL! Forest 3-1 Leeds (Austin OG)

Rodolph Austin marks his comeback from injury with an own goal to put Forest well in control of this match. The Jamaican came charging towards the Leeds goal looking to put a cross from Forest behind, but his outstretched leg powered the ball past Kenny. In the right goal that would have been a great finish.

OFFSIDE! Billy Sharp is denied his hat-trick by the assistant referee.

GOAL! Forest 4-1 Leeds (Blackstock)

A superb header from Dexter Blackstock leaves Paddy Kenny helpless. Leeds look shell-shocked, and Forest really could score any amount of goals in this form.

The City Ground crowd are calling for seven goals, a reference to Forest's 7-3 win over Leeds at Elland Road earlier this year. To be honest, unless Leeds can find something, it's not out of the question.

Leeds take the ball towards the Forest goal but it's easily put out for a throw.

Warnock rings the changes for Leeds. Diouf is taken off for Davide Somma, while Austin is replaced by Jason Pearce.

Kenny denies Forest a fifth, comfortably saving an Elliot Ward header.

After a devastating five minutes by Forest, the pace has slowed a little, and Leeds are getting more time on the ball. There's little chance the visitors will get anything from this game now, but they can restore some pride.

First subtitution for Forest, Majewski is replaced by Guy Moussi.

Reid misses out on a strike after he gets his feet tangled while trying to turn. He re-groups for another shot, but the ball is cleared.

Moussi's first contribution is to concede a free kick. Byram tries a header from the edge of the box but it's off target.

Forest seem happy to let Leeds take the bulk of the possession at the moment. Their back four are looking strong, and Leeds are getting few chances at the Forest goal.

Billy Sharp is taken off to a standing ovation from the Forest fans as Simon Cox is brought on. Sharp could have had a hat-trick but for the assistant's flag, but the crowd are more than happy with his brace.

Leeds make their final change, Byram making way for Ross McCormack.

Leeds have a throw in near the Forest goal, Green takes the ball to the edge of the area, but then heads backwards, as the visitors struggle to break through Forest's defence.

Cox gets the ball around 30 yards out and take a run towards the Leeds goal. He takes a shot from outside the box which isn't far off target.

The home side make their last substitution, Henri Lansbury coming on for Andy Reid.

A thunderous long-range effort from Hutton forces a save from Kenny that will have left his hands stinging. The ball goes out for a corner, which Leeds clear.

Somma makes a run for Leeds as Forest pass the ball back to Camp. The ball reaches the keeper first, but it was a good effort from the substitute.

Forest are still looking for goals. The home side win a corner, but it's easily cleared by Leeds, and the visitors are on the counter.

GOAL! Forest 4-2 Leeds (Somma)

Leeds' counter attack paid off, Somma sprinting in to the box to force the ball beyond Camp.

Somma could have added a second just moments later, but his effort is off target.

Somma's goal has brought a new lease of life to Leeds, albeit too late in the game to make a real difference. The visitors are ending the stronger side, and are pushing for a third.

FULL-TIME: Nottingham Forest 4-2 Leeds United

A sensational spell early in the second half was enough for Nottingham Forest to secure their first win over Leeds at the City Ground since 1996.

The win moves Forest above Leeds in the Championship table in to eighth.

Don't forget to check out Liam Power's full-time report of this lunchtime's game from the City Ground, and stick around for live commentaries from a number of Premier League games this afternoon, as well as live scores and analysis from across the football league and Scotland. Thanks for joining me today, goodbye.

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