Nottingham Forest versus Leeds United certainly provided the entertainment value on New Year’s Day, kicking off 2019 in brilliant fashion as the festive period in all English tiers continued to deliver.
In a remarkable topsy-turvy game that had almost everything, Forest produced a fantastic 4-2 win over 10-man Leeds to keep Aitor Karanka’s job safe for another week.
It was Forest’s first win in six Championship fixtures, with fans to thank Daryl Murphy, Ben Osborn and a Jack Colback brace for the three points. Leeds responded via Jack Clarke and Ezgian Alioski to get them a remarkable lead though a man down, before Nottingham Forest mounted their brilliant comeback.
The game had been turned on its head however by a sickening Kalvin Phillips tackle that fully deserved the straight dismissal from referee Darren England.
Phillips’ late challenge on Adlene Guedioura looks even worse slowed down, with the footage available for you to watch - and wretch - below.
The incident slightly before half-time at the City Ground produced remonstrations from the home side as their injured Guedioura took to the turf.
There can really no complains for the visitors nor manager Marcelo Bielsa who has now seen his side slump to their first defeat in nine games, after some absolutely scintillating results of late
The result puts Forest up into seven, just four points off a promotion play-off place.
Leeds meanwhile have to sweat on Norwich City failing to deliver. The Canaries now just sit two points behind them in second in the Championship table.
