By Chima Azu
Nigerian bulky striker Taiwo Awoniyi scored the only goal that ensured Nottingham Forest will be playing in the Premier League next season with one game to spare.
Forest only needed maximum three points to secure their stay in the EPL and they did just that after Awoniyi put them ahead with just 19 minutes played. Forest had to defend for the entirety of the game with wave upon wave of Arsenal attack with an enormous possession of 82% to Forest 18%. The home side only had 5 shots with just 2 on target and one was decisive enough for the much needed win. The former Union Berlin striker made a dashing run away from Arsenal’s defense and got a through ball from Gibbs-White which he placed past the onrushing Ramsdale to give his team the lead.
Awoniyi’s goal ended Arsenal’s slender hope of still winning the Premier League and that gives City their third consecutive league title on the bounce with three games left for Pep Gaurdiola’s side. Forest now has 37 points, 4 points above 17 placed Everton with just one game left for the season to come to an end.
The Nigerian striker picked from at the right time for his team by scoring 5 goals in his last 3 games to take his goal tally to 9 for the season. One would have wondered if Forest would have been higher up the table if the coach had played his number nine more and if he had stayed away from injury.
