Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi was amongst the goals at the Gtech Community Stadium this evening, as his side won 2-0 over Brentford, Soccernet.ng reports.
Injuries have marked the 28-year-old’s time in the English Premier League, as he’s missed 60 games for the Reds since joining from Union Berlin in 2022.
Awoniyi suffered a damaged abdomen last season after colliding with the goalpost against Leicester, where he had to placed in an induced coma.
Upon full recovery, the ex-Liverpool forward saw his playing time at the City Ground reduced. Still, he kept his head down and continued to work hard.
Nottingham Forest were without a win from three games heading into the clash against Brentford at the Gtech.
Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
Taiwo Awoniyi back on the scoresheet for Nottingham Forest
The two-time UEFA Champions League winners needed all three points to go five points clear of West Ham in the battle for safety from relegation.
It took them just twelve minutes to take the lead against Brentford. Brazilian striker Igor Jesus found the net in the 12th minute.
The move began after Ola Aina was freed down the right and looked to find an angle for a cross. The chance appeared to have disappeared after the Nigerian defender ran into traffic.
Somehow, the versatile full-back finds a way to clip a cross into Jesus, who then brings the ball down on his chest before firing a volley into the far corner, leaving Caoimhin Kelleher with no chance.
Awoniyi came off the bench in the 68th minute, replacing Forest’s initial goalscorer Igor Jesus. Eleven minutes later, the Nigerian forward scored his first league goal since January 2025.
Brentford’s Kevin Schade was looking to find an opener for the hosts down the left, only for Milenkovic to get a foot in and clear. The ball fell to Forest captain, Morgan Gibbs-White, who freed Awoniyi down the right for a counterattack.
Awoniyi didn’t have much help up front, and many expected him to hold the ball up, but he had other ideas.
The Forest striker used his strength to beat Sepp Van den Berg before sliding the ball past Kelleher to score what stands as the potential Premier League goal of the season.
Awoniyi’s strike allowed Nottingham Forest to gain control of the game and apply the brakes on their attacking momentum to protect their lead.
Nottingham Forest are still 17th on the Premier League table, but can now look up with hope as they’re just three points below Tottenham Hotspur.
