Awoniyi marks his 100th English Premier League game with brace against Chelsea

SUPER Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi celebrated his 100th appearance in the English Premier League yesterday in style getting a couple of goals in a crucial 3-0 victory over Chelsea that could well have saved his team from relegation.

Nottingham Forest, Awoniyi's club were hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone and desperately needed the three points away at Stamford Bridge. With just three more games until the end of the season, Awoniyi made yesterday a wonderful bank Holiday Monday for the travelling Forest fans with a goal in each half.

Getting a rare start as coach Vitor Pereira rotated his squad ahead of a crucial Europa League semi-final second leg against Aston Villa on Thursday, Awoniyi headed home the opener in the second minute of the game. In the 15th minute, his team mate Igor Jesus then made it two from the spot after Awoniyi had earned Forest a penalty.

Chelsea did not show much bite in the final third but they won a fortuitous penalty just before the break after Jesse Derry was clattered into and left unconscious in the penalty box. England winger Cole Palmer stepped up but his strike was saved by Matz Sels in goal for Forest.

​Awoniyi then crowned off his day in the second half, after a brilliant counter-attack that allowed his to hit the back of the net again in the 52nd minute. This victory takes Nottingham Forest to 16th in the table, with 42 points after 35 games, effectively, making the fight to avoid the last relegation spot a two-horse race between West ham and Tottenham Hotspurs. 

Aside from his goals, Awoniyi's link-up play was exceptional yesterday, as he used the ball well whenever he had possession and hardly put a foot wrong all afternoon. His brace against Chelsea was his first since May 2023 and interestingly, his last brace also came against the Blues.

​Awoniyi has proven that during this period of the season, he knows how to turn up the heat and deliver for his team. Yesterday, his team mate Ola Aina missed the game through injury and will be hoping to be fit for Thursday's Europa League game.