Leeds’ Luis Sinisterra earns vital win and leaves Nottingham Forest in trouble

Arguably the biggest change Javi Gracia has implemented since replacing Jesse Marsch at Leeds is the re-introduction of width. Where his American predecessor liked the team to play a narrow game, the Spaniard favours a more expansive approach with wingers no longer penalised for hugging the touchline. Two of his wide boys duly repaid Gracia’s faith here with Jack Harrison and Luis Sinisterra not only scoring the vital goals but torturing Nottingham Forest’s full-backs throughout.

Their game-changing input enabled Leeds to not only recover after falling behind but rise to the dizzy heights of 13th, albeit just two points above 17th-placed Forest in the tightest of Premier League relegation battles. Only goal difference is keeping Steve Cooper’s side out of the bottom three and, largely due to a woeful away record, his job security looks in increasing jeopardy.

Rightly or wrongly, Forest’s Emmanuel Dennis has a reputation for being high maintenance but few critics dispute he is a high calibre forward. Sure enough he delighted in emphasising this quality by repeatedly tormenting Luke Ayling, very nearly scoring when his volley ricocheted off the inside of a post following a connection with Brennan Johnson’s early corner.

As the ball rebounded to safety Cooper froze in mid-celebration with arms that seemed about to punch thin air but instead he used to cradle his head.

Fortunately the visiting manager was swiftly able to really jump for joy after a slick Forest break concluded with Dennis cutting back for Orel Mangala to dodge his marker and send a low shot from the edge of the area curving beyond Illan Meslier’s reach and on into the bottom corner.

The away fans had been incensed by rumours that Cooper was set to be sacked