Forest returned to Premier League action at The City Ground for the first time in over two weeks as Leeds United were the visitors on Trentside on Sunday afternoon.
Steve Cooper handed a debut to goalkeeper Keylor Navas after the Costa Rican signed from PSG earlier this week, while Remo Freuler captained the side. Fellow new signings André Ayew and Felipe were named among the substitutes.
Navas was called into action after just two minutes, making a smart stop to deny Luis Sinisterra from close range before reacting quickly to claim the loose ball.
On 13 minutes, the deadlock was broken following The Reds’ first opportunity on goal. Morgan Gibbs-White’s free-kick was cleared as far as Brennan Johnson on the edge of the area before the Wales international rocketed a first-time volley past Ilan Meslier.
Johnson was causing problems again for the Leeds backline on 21 minutes, being released down the right channel by Danilo before picking out Gibbs-White on the edge of the box but his resulting strike was blocked.
Leeds looked to respond just after the half hour mark as Wilfried Gnonto’s cross from the left was missed by Patrick Bamford, only for Luke Ayling to strike on target but Navas made a smart reflex save to deny the full-back.
Navas was called into action once more on 43 minutes, Gnonto capitalising on a loose clearance inside the area before being denied by the goalkeeper low to his right to maintain Forest’s lead ahead of the break.
Half time: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Leeds United
Cooper made two changes during the break, replacing the booked Danilo with Jack Colback while Orel Mangala made way for Serge Aurier.
The Reds carved out the opening chance of the second half, Johnson delivering a cross to Gibbs-White inside the box but his header was comfortable for Meslier.
On 52 minutes, Neco Williams, playing further forward on the left following the half time reshuffle, burst through towards the edge of the box before working space for a strike but couldn’t quite keep his effort below the crossbar.
Five minutes later, Jesse Marsch made a double switch of his own as Marc Roca and Sinisterra made way for Weston McKennie and Crysencio Summerville.
With 22 minutes remaining, there was another double change for Leeds as Georginio Rutter and Junior Firpo replaced Bamford and Struijk.
The Reds responded by introducing Sam Surridge in place of Chris Wood on his home debut as Forest looked to push for a second goal with just under 20 minutes remaining.
Surridge was straight into the action and came close to adding his name to the scoresheet on 78 minutes, Gibbs-White’s pass picked the forward out but his strike curled just over the crossbar from inside the area.
André Ayew was introduced for his Forest debut as the clock ticked towards the 90, replacing Williams.
Four minutes were added by referee Rob Jones, with Sam Greenwood delivering a late dangerous free-kick into the penalty area but Forest stood firm to clear before Jones blew for full time, stretching our unbeaten league run to five fixtures.
Full time: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Leeds United
Nottingham Forest: Keylor Navas, Orel Mangala (Serge Aurier 46’), Neco Williams, Morgan Gibbs-White, Scott McKenna, Renan Lodi, Brennan Johnson, Danilo (Jack Colback (46’), Remo Freuler (C), Willy Boly, Chris Wood (Sam Surridge 72’)
Substitutes: Wayne Hennessey, Joe Worrall, Felipe, Gustavo Scarpa, Jesse Lingard, André Ayew
Goals: Johnson (13’)
Leeds United: Ilan Meslier, Luka Ayling, Liam Cooper (C), Marc Roca (Weston McKennie 57'), Patrick Bamford (Georginio Rutter 67'), Jack Harrison (Sam Greenwood 83'), Tyler Adams, Pascal Struijk (Junior Firpo 67'), Luis Sinisterra (Crysencio Summerville 57'), Wilfried Gnonto, Maximilian Wöber
Substitutes: Joel Robles, Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, Mateo Joseph