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.
13. Daniel James - N/A
Made his long-awaited return to action from the bench after an injury lay-off. | Michael Regan/Getty Images
14. Sean Longstaff - N/A
Added legs to the Leeds midfield from the bench late on. | Carl Recine/Getty Images
15. Sebastiaan Bornauw - N/A
Entered the fray as a substitute in stoppage time. | Carl Recine/Getty Images