Awoniyi Fires Nottingham Forest To First EPL Victory After 23 Years

Awoniyi Fires Nottingham Forest To First EPL Victory After 23 Years 

Sampson Adedeji

Nigeria's Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi was the hero on Sunday as Nottingham Forest won their first home game in the English Premier League after 23 years of absence, BSNsports.com.ng reports.

The energetic striker joined the newly promoted side this summer from the German Bundesliga club Union Berlin and he was able to make his debut last weekend against Newcastle United.

Forest hosted West Ham United City Ground for the first time since May 1999, on Sunday with the Nigerian forward proving too difficult to handle for the backline of the Hammers.

Awoniyi was able to decide the game with a brilliant tap-in in the early part of the first half and ensured maximum points for Forest.

The Hammers had the opportunity to come back when they were awarded a spot kick but Forest's goalkeeper did well to stop Declan Rice's penalty.

Surridge replaced Awoniyi in the 72nd minute and all the efforts of West Ham to level the game proved abortive.