Awoniyi magic helps Nottingham Forest claim big result at Chelsea

Awoniyi was the hero for Nottingham Forest when they defeated Southampton last time out, and he waved his magic wand again at Stamford Bridge 

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi scored his second consecutive brace to help Nottingham Forest to a hard-earned 2-2 draw at Chelsea, Soccernet.ng reports.

Awoniyi scored his first Premier League brace for the Tricky Trees when they beat Southampton in a thrilling matchup that ended 4-3 at City Ground on Monday.

He got the nod again to lead the line for Nottingham Forest when they traveled to Stamford Bridge to play a Chelsea side that have had a rollercoaster season.

Chelsea controlled the game in the early embers, but Steve Cooper’s lads sat back, looking to catch them on the counter.

Nottingham Forest’s game plan eventually paid off just 13 minutes into the game. Renan Lodi made an enterprising run into Chelsea’s final third and sent a cross into the box. Taiwo Awoniyi who was crowded by Chelsea players, jumped highest to meet the ball and sent a clinical strike into the net to make it 1-0.

Chelsea proved hard for an equalizer, but Nottingham Forest held their lines. Awoniyi did not get a lot of opportunities in the final third again, and most of the Tricks Trees’ sojourns in Chelsea’s area ended in speculative strikes.

However, the Blues got their breakthrough in the second half through Raheem Sterling. The Englishman struck in the 51st and 58th minutes to put Chelsea in front.

Nonetheless, Awoniyi was not to be denied his second goal of the game, and it was another header. Oral Mangala sent a perfect cross into the Chelsea area, and Awoniyi showed his prowess again, meeting the cross and finishing clinically to make it 2-2.

After an outstanding 81 minutes that saw him register two goals, two tackles, and 24 touches, Awoniyi was hauled off for Brennan Johnson.

Nottingham Forest sit 16th, and they would hope that their relegation zone counterparts lose this weekend.