Awoniyi on target as Nottingham Forest claim first win

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi scored his second goal of the season as his side edged newly-promoted Sheffield United 2-1 in their first home game of the season.

Fresh from scoring in the season opener against Arsenal, Awoniyi was handed a starting berth for the Reds in their first home game of the season. The Nigerian striker had scored in five consecutive league matches for his club and was keen to add to that tally.

Awoniyi needed only three minutes to open the scoring for Nottingham Forest, delivering an emphatic header after Serge Aurier provided a delicious cross into the box. It was the 25-year-old’s sixth consecutive match with a goal, making him the Nigerian player with the most consecutive matches scored in in the Premier League and equalling Stan Collymore’s record for the club which has stood since 1995.

6 – Taiwo Awoniyi's run of scoring in six consecutive Premier League appearances is now the longest of any Nigerian player, and is surpassed by only two African players in the competition's history – Mohamed Salah and Emmanuel Adebayor (seven-game runs). Super. pic.twitter.com/Oz2s3mSkAy

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 18, 2023

Nottingham Forest controlled the game largely but were pegged back only three minutes into the second half. Sheffield United debutant Gustavo Hamer curled an effort into the top corner for his first goal for the club.

Awoniyi was substituted off in the last ten minutes of the encounter and replaced by former Newcastle United striker Chris Wood, who, in the 89th minute, glanced home a fine header off another Aurier delivery to guarantee his side maximum points in their first home game of the new season.