Nottingham Forest striker Awoniyi makes his home debut with historic goal
Nottingham Forest fans will be chanting Taiwo Awoniyi's name all weekend after the Nigerian, on his debut at the City Ground, handed the EPL returnees their first Premier League win in close quarters of three decades.
Awoniyi, despite his best efforts and selfless run, didn't know much about the goal as West Ham defender Ben Johnson's clearance came off the Nigerian's knee and crossed the line to send the Forest fans off in a frenzy. This goal came in the second minute of added time in the first half.
Forest and West Ham started the day with zero points, both losing their opening matches 2-0; Forest at Newcastle and West Ham at home to defending league champions Manchester City.
Steve Cooper's team started brilliantly and pinned the Hammers to their half. Awoniyi won a free kick over Declan Rice in the fifth minute. Hammers captain Rice was shown a yellow card after nine minutes as Forest kept up the attacking pressure. Awoniyi got his first scoring chance in the 13th minute, but his header went wide.
Tomas Soucek got West Ham's first chance in the 15th minute. Jesse Lingard's cross kick was nearly returned by the Nigerian in the 20th minute. West Ham thought they had taken the lead through Said Benrahma in the 42nd minute but VAR ruled it out.
Forest struck five minutes later and although it was a poor goal it counted and Forest took off in the Premier League on their return.
ALSO READ: Emmanuel Dennis joins Taiwo Awoniyi at Nottingham ForestThe second half was only a minute long when Pablo Fornals smashed his shot against the crossbar. This was going to be the recurring theme of the day. VAR then scored Brennan Johnson's goal in the 53rd minute. Moussa Niakhate had a header well saved by Lukasz Fabianski as play continued in end-to-end action.
On the hour mark, Benrahma hit a perfect free-kick, but the crossbar came to Forest's rescue. Scott McKenna suspended an arm to stop a goal-bound effort from Jarrod Bowen. VAR was recalled before referee Robert Jones awarded the penalty. Rice took responsibility and Dean Henderson saved.
At the end of seven minutes of added time, Forest celebrated their first three points thanks to Awoniyi's first-ever EPL goal.
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Nottingham Forest fans will be chanting Taiwo Awoniyi's name all weekend after the Nigerian, on his debut at the City Ground, handed the EPL returnees their first Premier League win in close quarters of three decades.
Awoniyi, despite his best efforts and selfless run, didn't know much about the goal as West Ham defender Ben Johnson's clearance came off the Nigerian's knee and crossed the line to send the Forest fans off in a frenzy. This goal came in the second minute of added time in the first half.
Forest and West Ham started the day with zero points, both losing their opening matches 2-0; Forest at Newcastle and West Ham at home to defending league champions Manchester City.
Steve Cooper's team started brilliantly and pinned the Hammers to their half. Awoniyi won a free kick over Declan Rice in the fifth minute. Hammers captain Rice was shown a yellow card after nine minutes as Forest kept up the attacking pressure. Awoniyi got his first scoring chance in the 13th minute, but his header went wide.
Tomas Soucek got West Ham's first chance in the 15th minute. Jesse Lingard's cross kick was nearly returned by the Nigerian in the 20th minute. West Ham thought they had taken the lead through Said Benrahma in the 42nd minute but VAR ruled it out.
Forest struck five minutes later and although it was a poor goal it counted and Forest took off in the Premier League on their return.
ALSO READ: Emmanuel Dennis joins Taiwo Awoniyi at Nottingham ForestThe second half was only a minute long when Pablo Fornals smashed his shot against the crossbar. This was going to be the recurring theme of the day. VAR then scored Brennan Johnson's goal in the 53rd minute. Moussa Niakhate had a header well saved by Lukasz Fabianski as play continued in end-to-end action.
On the hour mark, Benrahma hit a perfect free-kick, but the crossbar came to Forest's rescue. Scott McKenna suspended an arm to stop a goal-bound effort from Jarrod Bowen. VAR was recalled before referee Robert Jones awarded the penalty. Rice took responsibility and Dean Henderson saved.
At the end of seven minutes of added time, Forest celebrated their first three points thanks to Awoniyi's first-ever EPL goal.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES
Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government.
For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour.
By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.
Donate
[embedded content]TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
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