Taiwo Awoniyi strike seals Nottingham Forest win and signals key resilience before crucial run | OneFootball

Taiwo Awoniyi’s late finish sealed Nottingham Forest’s 2-0 win at Brentford and, according to Nottingham Post, delivered three massive points. It was his first Premier League goal since 6 January 2025 after intestinal surgery last May.

Igor Jesus gave Forest a 12th-minute lead from Ola Aina’s cross. Brentford pressed, but Matz Sels made only one save from Dango Ouattara and 35 crosses were repelled. Awoniyi then found the far corner with 10 minutes left.

The bench rose to celebrate and the Nigerian beamed at full-time after a hug from Morgan Gibbs-White. It could prove vital in the relegation fight. It remains to be seen whether he stays beyond January.

Forest had to dig in. Sean Dyche praised Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo, and highlighted Ibrahim Sangare’s shielding in front of them. Clean sheets and solidity remain his priorities.

Lorenzo Lucca joined on loan from Napoli on Friday to suit Forest’s crossing, but he was not registered. Jesus, now on two Premier League goals and nine for the club, and Awoniyi stepped up.

This display followed jeers after the 1-0 Europa League loss at Braga. Dyche made seven changes from midweek, restoring the XI that drew 0-0 with Arsenal, leaning on a core from last season.

Dyche feels a corner has been turned, with seven points from three after a four-game losing run. Five points clear, Forest face Ferencvaros on Thursday before league tests against Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. That run could be defining.

Source: Nottingham Post