Anton Stach strikes late as Leeds edge Nottingham Forest 1-0

Leeds United opened their Premier League campaign with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest after Anton Stach struck a late free-kick at the City Ground.

The match appeared to be heading towards a goalless draw until Stach produced the decisive moment in the 88th minute, curling a wide free-kick inside Matz Sels’ near post.

Forest had created the better chances for much of the contest and came close to taking the lead on several occasions.

Igor Jesus forced an early save from James Trafford before Nikola Milenković struck the post late in the first half. Jesus then headed over from a promising position shortly after the restart, while substitute Chris Wood also dragged a good opportunity wide.

Leeds carried a threat of their own and had a first-half effort ruled out for offside before gradually growing into the match after the interval.

Sels produced an excellent save to deny Tarik Muharemović in the 69th minute, but the Forest goalkeeper was eventually beaten by Stach’s long-range set-piece with two minutes of normal time remaining.

The defeat gave Oliver Glasner a frustrating start to his Premier League tenure at Nottingham Forest, with his side punished for failing to convert a series of opportunities.

For Leeds, the late breakthrough secured all three points and provided an ideal start to the new campaign despite spending long periods under pressure.