Keylor Navas pulled off a brilliant save on his debut for Nottingham Forest to help his new side beat Leeds 1-0 in the Premier League and move above the relegation zone on Sunday.
Brennan Johnson scored a 14th-minute winner for Forest, but the hosts had Navas – a multiple Champions League winner who was signed from Paris Saint-Germain on the final day of the January transfer window this week – to seal a third win. in their last four league games to thank for.
The 36-year-old Costa Rica star was particularly busy in the first half, defending at his best to deny Luke Ayling and Wilfred Gonto.
Leeds created chances in the first half but Forest found it difficult to penetrate after the break, when U.S. Midfielder Weston McKennie came on for his debut and played alongside international teammate Tyler Adams.
Johnson’s goal came when a free kick on the edge of the area was only half cleared by Leeds, where the Wales forward fired a low, first-time shot inside the near post.
Forest moved up to 13th, six points above the relegation zone, as the promoted team continued to recover from a slow start to the season on their return to the top flight after 23 years.
Leeds are 17th in the 20-team league and just outside the relegation positions on goal difference.
Jessie Marsh’s team have a game in hand, however, and will play Manchester United on Wednesday.