Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi scored for Nottingham Forest as they claimed a handsome 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Spurs welcomed the Tricky Trees to their home － The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for their Premier League clash on Sunday.
The game was a proper relegation dogfight, as while Spurs were just one point above the drop zone, Nottingham Forest were separated by merely goals difference.
Forest boss Vitor Pereira started Nigerian striker from the bench, preferring Igor Jesus instead. But Ola Aina started from his usual right back position.
Spurs were the slight favourites heading into the tie, and they dominated the early proceedings. The fans were still in high spirits after their win over Atletico Madrid in midweek, so they were quite positive.
Aina had a lot of work to do on the day, as most of Tottenham's attacks came from Mathys Tel. And the Nigerian did a decent job of keeping him at bay.
Nottingham Forest had their biggest chance of the game in the 45th minute, with Igor Jesus forcing a save from goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario after a neat strike from inside the box.
However, it was the resultant corner-kick that resulted in Forest's goal. Jesus jumped highest to meet the corner from Neco Williams and headed the ball into the net to make it 1-0 just before the break.
Coach Igor Tudor’s men entered the second half with more vigour, as they wanted to draw level. However, the Tricky Trees held their own despite the barrage of attacks. Then, in the 62nd minute, they struck. This time, it was courtesy of Morgan Gibbs-White, who took advantage of a melee in the box and put it past Vicario to make it 2-0.
Eight minutes later, coach Pereira took off Jesus and introduced Awoniyi into the game. As usual, the Nigerian striker put himself about on the pitch, fighting for every ball and disturbing the defenders with his physicality.
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He eventually scored the third for Nottingham Forest in the 87th minute. The Super Eaglesvstar got on the end of a teasing cross from Williams and nudged the ball past a helpless Vicario, ensuring that it ended 3-0 to the visitors.
The goal was Awoniyi's first goal in two months, and it was just his 20th goal for Nottingham Forest.
According to Opta Joe, the result means that Tottenham have won just 30 points from 31 Premier League games this season, and accounting for 3pts/win all-time, this is their joint-lowest return after 31 games of a league campaign since the 1914-15 season when they also had 30 points at this period of the season.
How Many Goals Has Taiwo Awoniyi Scored This Season?
Taiwo Awoniyi's goal against Tottenham was his second in 12 Premier League appearances this season.
From his celebration when he took off his shirt and ran to the corner flag, you could tell that it was a massive relief for him.
His season has been marred by injuries, which has ultimately made him become a peripheral figure at the club. Nonetheless, his strike will be a morale booster for him moving forward.
When the Tricky Trees were involved in a relegation fight two seasons ago, Awoniyi put up a goalscoring run to keep them in the Premier League. Perhaps, he might just be the man to ensure that they stay afloat in the English top-flight.
