Brennan Johnson scored the only goal as Nottingham Forest beat Leeds to move six points clear of the relegation places.
Forest were second best throughout the first half but led at the break thanks to Johnson’s thumping 14th-minute strike.
After Leeds failed to clear a free-kick on the right, the ball bounced up for the Wales forward to rifle it into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
The hosts were indebted to debutant goalkeeper Keylor Navas, on loan from Paris St-Germain, who made important first-half saves from Wilfried Gnonto, Luke Ayling and Luis Sinisterra, who put Leeds’ best chance of the game over the bar from six yards out.
Leeds’ threat all but vanished in the second period and Forest comfortably held on for a third victory in five Premier League games, moving up to the 13th in the table.
Meanwhile, Jesse Marsch’s Leeds have now gone seven league games without a win and stay 17th, above the relegation zone only on goal difference.
Forest boss Steve Cooper later said: “Big win and I’m learning to enjoy winning even when you maybe don’t play so well, because we didn’t in the first half. The first half for us was just about the individual moments of Keylor’s saves and Brennan’s finish. We had to change half-time though, tactically and some personnel.
“We’re obviously really happy with the win, I’m not really happy with the performance and that’s my job to look into that. I don’t think it would be elite enough just to think about the win. So, work to do but we know that.
On Keylor Navas’ debut, he said: “Everyone knows what he’s done in the game in terms of decorated years and how experienced he is, but he still wanted to show who he is today.
“We’ve had a great few days with him, he’s showed fantastic humility, he’s really trying to buy in to how we play and the surroundings of the club so I’ve only got positive things to say at the moment.
“We’re delighted in the dressing room and he’s quite composed in the corner thinking ‘I’ve done that before’.”
On Brennan Johnson’s goal, Cooper added: “I think we’ve learned that sometimes you don’t get loads of chances in this league and if you can show good quality like Brennan did today then that is what is required. We’ve felt the other end of that at times this season but, we’re just really enjoying Brenna growing on this stage. He’s striving to get better and he’s working hard.
“We want him to keep growing and I’m enjoying seeing him and one or two of the younger lads really starting to thrive now.”
