Leeds United 1 (Hernandez 59) Nottingham Forest 1 (Grabban 88)
Despite a dominant performance, Leeds United had to make do with a point in the first home game of the 2019/20 Sky Bet Championship season against Nottingham Forest.
Leeds had an appeal for a penalty inside six minutes, when Adam Forshaw appeared to be brought down, following a low ball into the Nottingham Forest box, but referee Robert Jones waved away the protests.
Kalvin Phillips then struck a powerful effort on goal from 25 yards, forcing Arijanet Muric into a good save, tipping the strike around his post.
Pablo Hernandez was inches away from finding Patrick Bamford with a cross, after he did well to break into the Nottingham Forest box, before Barry Douglas stormed into the area, only to see his attempt superbly blocked by Alfa Semedo.
Liam Cooper was next to go close for the Whites, after Leeds won four corners in succession, he headed just wide at the back post.
Patrick Bamford then went through on goal, but Muric made a really good save from a narrow angle to deny him. The ball then went out to Jack Harrison who put another ball into the box, but Bamford couldn’t make the desired contact.
Neither side was able to create a real opportunity, following the Bamford chance, as the sides went in level at the break.
Half time: Leeds United 0-0 Nottingham Forest
Forest had a rare opportunity on goal after the break, with Albert Adomah’s long range strike going over the crossbar.
Leeds had a great chance to take the lead eight minutes into the second half, Harrison did really well to reach the byline, before finding Bamford in the box, but the striker saw his effort cannon back out off the crossbar.
A minute later Bamford went through on goal and with Muric coming off his line, he attempted to chip the Forest stopper, with his effort narrowly missing the target.
Harrison once again did well and this time found Hernandez in the Forest box, but he couldn’t get the better of Muric.
The Whites did get the breakthrough in the 59th minute, Klich played a lovely through ball into the path of Hernandez and he slotted home, with Elland Road erupting.
After the goal, Forest had chances to level, Ben Watson struck over from the edge of the box when he was teed up by Samba Sow, whilst Michael Dawson headed just over following a corner.
With 13 minutes remaining, Forest were awarded a corner, despite there appearing to be a foul on Liam Cooper prior and from the set piece, striker Lewis Grabban managed to bundle home.
Leeds pushed for a winner in the closing stages, Cooper heading off target at a corner and substitute Helder Costa was twice denied a penalty in front of the Kop on his home debut, as the Whites had to settle for a point.
Full time: Leeds United 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Leeds: Casilla, Douglas, White, Cooper, Dallas, Phillips, Forshaw, Klich (Costa 80), Hernandez, Harrison (Alioski 73), Bamford. Subs not used: Meslier, Berardi, Bogusz, Shackleton, Clarke.
Forest: Muric, Worrall, Dawson, Robinson, Silva (Sow 57), Watson (Mir 72), Cash, Lolley, Semedo, Adomah (Ameobi 64), Grabban. Subs not used: Samba, Ribeiro, Figueiredo, Jenkinson.
Booked: Phillips (Leeds)
Referee: R. Jones
Venue: Elland Road
Attendance: 35,453 (2,001 Forest)