Nigerian forward’s composed finish completes victory at Gtech Community Stadium.
Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi was among the goals at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday evening, as Forest recorded a crucial 2–0 victory over Brentford in the Premier League.
Nigerian international Awoniyi returned to the spotlight with a decisive late strike that sealed all three points for Forest, providing a timely boost in their bid to move clear of the relegation zone.
Forest took the lead early through Igor Jesus, who fired home in the 12th minute to give the visitors an advantage. Despite Brentford’s dominance in possession and territory for long spells, Forest remained compact and disciplined, soaking up pressure while posing a threat on the counter-attack.
The decisive moment arrived in the 79th minute, when substitute Taiwo Awoniyi latched onto a pass from Morgan Gibbs-White, powered past defenders and calmly slotted the ball home to double Forest’s lead and put the result beyond doubt.
The goal was a particularly emotional one for Awoniyi, whose Premier League career has been heavily disrupted by injuries. Since joining Nottingham Forest from Union Berlin in 2022, the 28-year-old has missed around 60 matches due to various fitness setbacks.
Last season, the former Liverpool forward suffered a serious abdominal injury after colliding with the goalpost in a match against Leicester City — an incident that required him to be placed in an induced coma during treatment.
Although Awoniyi made a full recovery, his playing time at the City Ground has been limited. However, the Nigerian striker remained patient, continued to work hard in training, and was rewarded with a decisive contribution when it mattered most.
Nottingham Forest entered the encounter without a win in their previous three matches, making the victory over Brentford even more significant. Awoniyi’s goal not only secured the result but also underlined his importance to Forest’s survival push.
The win widens Forest’s cushion above the relegation zone and provides renewed confidence as the Premier League season heads into a critical phase, while Brentford were left frustrated after failing to convert their possession into clear-cut chances.
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