Lucas Perri warm-up shocker and 29-year line-up history - Things you may have missed in Leeds vs Nottingham Forest

Leeds United opened their 2026-27 Premier League season with a 1-0 win away at Nottingham Forest.

Daniel Farke's side weren't at their best at the City Ground, but that's to be expected on opening weekend as they still found a way to win.

Three new signings made their full Premier League debuts on Saturday, with James Trafford, Tarik Muharemovic and Harry Wilson all starting.

With three of their next four league games being at home, the Whites will be confident of putting some more early points on the board soon enough.

It was a game of relatively few chances for either side on Saturday, but it only took one from Anton Stach in the 88th minute to seal all three points.

Regardless, MOT Leeds News takes a look at a few things that you may have missed from the Whites' opening game of the new season.

How did Lucas Perri embarrass himself during the Leeds warm-up?

Despite being heavily linked with a move away from Leeds before the transfer deadline, Lucas Perri was in the squad against Forest.

The Brazilian may not have seen action in the game, but he did play a role in helping James Trafford get warmed up beforehand.

However, Perri was perhaps as much of a hindrance as he was a help to Leeds' record signing.

As detailed via Leeds Live, Perri was given the task of delivering in crosses for Trafford to come and claim.

This proved to be a tough ask for the 28-year-old, as his crosses actually hit the roof of the net three times in a row at one point.

Saturday proved to be a sneakily historic day for Leeds too, as Farke named a squad that created near-on 30-year history.

What Howard Wilkinson-related history did Leeds make vs Forest?

There have been few better and more successful managers in Leeds history than Howard Wilkinson.

Between 1998 to 1992, he guided the Whites from the second tier to the old First Division (now Premier League) title.

As a result, he remains the last English manager to win England's top-flight, before departing Elland Road in 1996.

As detailed via Opta stats guru Jonny Cooper via X, Saturday was the first time Leeds have named a squad full of players born after Wilkinson was sacked in September 1996.

That's a remarkable stat, and one that's sure to make many Whites fans feel old!

Stach may well grab the headlines for Leeds on opening day, but this was a win earned by the Whites' defence.

How Leeds defenders reacted at full-time whistle vs Forest

As per FotMob, Nottingham Forest took 12 shots against Leeds, with Trafford being forced into three saves.

Leeds players made a total of 19 tackles compared to Forest's nine, whilst they also made 15 interceptions to the home sides' two.

There in lies the evidence of just how much these opening day three points are owed to the Whites defenders, and don't they know it.

As detailed via an X post from Leeds writer for The Athletic Beren Cross, Whites defenders mobbed Trafford at the full-time whistle.

Celebrating together as a defensive unit, that shows the kind of relationships and connections being built in this area of Farke's squad.