Awoniyi maintains perfect home record as Nottingham Forest lose to Fulham
Dennis features as late sub for Forest in defeat
Taiwo Awoniyi found the back of the net for Nottingham Forest as they lost at home 3-2 to fellow newly-promoted side Fulham. The Super Eagles striker scored his second goal since joining the Reds from Union Berlin this summer.
Having been used sparingly by manager Steve Cooper, Awoniyi was thrust into the starting line-up for the visit of Fulham to City Ground. It was only his second start in front of the home fans and third start in the Premier League this season.
Awoniyi took very little time to announce his return to the starting line-up as he opened the scoring for his side after only 11 minutes. The former Union Berlin star peeled away from his marker to the back post where he reacted quickly to plant a header past Bernd Leno following a flick-on by Ryan Yates from a Morgan Gibbs-White corner.
Fulham came roaring back in the second half and former Chelsea winger Willian set up Tosin Adarabioyo to head home an equaliser in the 54th minute. Three minutes later, Portuguese midfielder Joao Palhinha fired home from the edge of the box to give his side the lead before Harrison Reed scored their third in the 60th minute.
Awoniyi came close to scoring again but saw his headed effort miss the goal narrowly as his side sought a way back. They would eventually pull one back through Lewis O’Brien in the 77th minute of the encounter.
Emmanuel Dennis was sent on in the 88th minute as Nottingham Forest looked to find an equaliser but Fulham held on for an important win.
Nottingham Forest are now down in 19th place after picking up only four points so far this season. The Reds’ manager Steve Cooper will hope to turn their fortunes around before the axe comes swinging for him at the club.
