Fans have come to expect strong displays from the Whites under the Elland Road lights and there was a continuation of the trend.
Jayden Bogle gave Daniel Farke’s men the lead, latching on to an Ilia Gruev pass before slotting past Stefan Ortega.
Noah Okafor doubled the advantage, firing home from close range after being teed up by James Justin. Forest’s misery was compounded by Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who got a chest to a Gruev shot that wrong-footed Ortega.
Lorenzo Lucca pulled a goal back for Forest to make the dying embers less comfortable for the hosts, but it did not spark a dramatic comeback.
The win clinched three crucial points for Leeds in their battle to avoid the drop, giving them a nine-point lead over 18th-placed West Ham United. Forest, meanwhile, have been left to precariously hover over the drop zone in 17th.
Here are The Yorkshire Post’s ratings from Elland Road.
1. Leeds United player ratings v Nottingham Forest
The ratings are in following Leeds United's meeting with Nottingham Forest. | George Wood/Getty Images
2. Karl Darlow - 7
Bounced back from his blunder against Arsenal to pull off some important saves. | Mike Egerton/PA Wire
3. Joe Rodon - 6
By no means terrible but not at his commanding best. | Alex Livesey/Getty Images
4. Pascal Struijk - 6
See above. Had some shaky moments and some impressive ones. | Richard Sellers/PA Wire