Awoniyi Propels Forest to First Premier League win of the Season

Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi’s two minutes and 23 seconds strike and Chris Wood’s late winner ensured Nottingham Forest recorded their first victory in the 2023/24 Premier League season.

Awoniyi opened the scoring for Forest heading home from Serge Aurier’s cross to give Forest an early lead.

The Nigeria’s headed goal meant he became only the second Forest player to score in six consecutive league games, following Stan Collymore, who did so in 1995.

Chris Wood headed home the winner for Nottingham Forest in the 89th minute against Sheffield United for their first Premier League win of the season.

Wood, who had come on as a substitute, flicked a header past United keeper Wes Foderingham to send the City Ground crowd wild.

Gustavo Hamer scored a stunner on his Sheffield United debut to give the newly promoted side hope early in the second half.

Hamer, who signed from Coventry City last Friday, struck into the top corner from the edge of the box for his first goal for his new club.

United were significantly improved after going 1-0 down early on and equalised just two minutes and eight seconds after the restart.

The home form of Nottingham Forest was a huge factor in Steve Cooper’s side remaining in the league last season.

It may be key again this time around. A dominant first half showing in front of a raucous crowd should have produced more than one goal with Brennan Johnson looking particularly lively on the counter-attack.

But it was the player replacing him who gave Forest the win.

Wood came on in the 83rd minute and scored six minutes later to keep up Forest’s fine form at the City Ground. Taking in the end of last season, this was their fourth successive home league win – the first time they have managed that in the top flight since 1996.