“I just had to be there to finish” – Super Eagles star describes his winning strike for Forest at St Mary’s

The Nigeria international was the match-winner for the Tricky Trees in their second match of 2023

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has hailed his goal on Wednesday night that sealed an important victory for Nottingham Forest in their clash with Southampton at St Mary’s.

Awoniyi’s press allowed Brennan Johnson to steal the ball away from Southampton just past the halfway line. The 21-year-old forward sped away but Awoniyi had the pace to keep up with his teammate and the Nigerian was on hand to turn home the English lad’s cutback.

The win secured Forest’s first away win of the season and lifts the Reds out of the relegation waters to 15th on the table, to the delight of Awoniyi.

The former Liverpool signing is convinced that Forest have the quality to keep grinding out the needed results to guarantee Premier League safety while applauding Brennan’s energy for the goal.

“We’ve been looking for this for a long time and the gaffer was saying to us that we have to improve our away form and we’re happy to have the three points,” Awoniyi told the club’s official website.

“You have to work hard in every game in the Premier League and you’ll see the results if you keep going and keep fighting.

“We’re still in the process of becoming the team we want to be and we can’t stop now we’re out of the bottom three. We have to keep going, keep believing, and fight for each other.

“It was a good press from the team for the goal, Brennan was brilliant with his energy and speed to get the ball into the box and I just had to be there to finish.”

Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Tottenham’s Harry Kane have been more decisive in the Premier League than Awoniyi.