Taiwo Awoniyi: Frank Lampard reacts to Nigerian’s first Coventry City goal

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi marked his first start for Coventry City with a goal and an assist as Frank Lampard's side defeated Plymouth Argyle 4-2 in the Carabao Cup second round, Soccernet.ng reports.

Awoniyi needed just three minutes to open his Coventry account after Caleb Yirenkyi's sublime flick released him behind the Plymouth defence. The Nigerian kept his composure to finish and give the Sky Blues a dream start.

The 29-year-old was involved again two minutes later, turning provider for Jack Rudoni to double Coventry's advantage as Lampard's team appeared to be heading towards a comfortable victory.

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Plymouth, however, fought back from two goals down to level the contest before Coventry eventually restored their advantage and added a fourth goal to secure their place in the next round.

For Awoniyi, the performance was an encouraging response after joining Coventry from Nottingham Forest and making his debut from the bench during the weekend defeat to Arsenal.

Lampard impressed by Taiwo Awoniyi's qualities

Lampard admitted that Awoniyi is still working towards full match fitness but was pleased with the immediate impact made by the Super Eagles striker.

“I think so. He played some good pre-season minutes at Forest, although probably not so much in his last sort of 10 days before coming to us,” Lampard said in quotes revealed by CoventryLive.

The Coventry manager had already introduced Awoniyi during the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal before handing him his first start against Plymouth.

That progression appears to be part of a deliberate process to rebuild the striker's fitness and match-sharpness after his limited involvement in the final days of his Nottingham Forest spell.

“It was good to get him on the pitch at the Emirates, and then he starts the game tonight, and he gets his goal and an assist,” Lampard added.

Awoniyi's return to regular competitive football will also be welcomed by Nigeria, particularly with the AFCON 2027 qualifiers approaching.

His first Coventry start could provide the foundation for a consistent run of appearances, allowing him to regain the sharpness that Lampard acknowledged he is still developing.

For now, the early signs are encouraging as the manager is already convinced that Coventry are seeing the qualities they signed him for.

“I thought we saw the qualities that we brought him here for,” Lampard concluded.

Awoniyi will be hoping to lead the line when Coventry City take on Hull City this weekend at the CBS Arena.