<p>Awoniyi delivered one of his most decisive performances in a Premier League season-defining clash, scoring twice and winning a penalty as Forest stunned their hosts.</p>
<p>The match carried huge importance at both ends of the table. Chelsea were chasing a top-five finish and European qualification, while Forest arrived in west London desperate for points to avoid relegation. And with the visitors rotating their squad ahead of a European semi-final, few expected what followed.</p>
<p>Forest started with purpose, intensity and belief, and Awoniyi embodied all three. The Nigerian striker produced several notable moments to power Forest to a convincing victory.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full”><img decoding=”async” width=”4200″ height=”2800″ src=”https://www.afrik-foot.com/en-ng/thumbor/mNUu1VVUzgNfay1tspXRObgfbl4=/4200×2800/smart/filters:format(webp)/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.afrik-foot.com%2Fen-ng%2F2026%2F05%2Fimago1074837481-1.jpg” alt=”Nigeria and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi” class=”wp-image-914263″/><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Nigeria and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi. Copyright: xMIxNewsx IMAGO</figcaption></figure>
<p>Reflecting on the performance, Awoniyi told Sky Sports via <a href=”https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cdxprg8wk5yt”>BBC</a>: </p>
<blockquote class=”wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow”>
<p>“Football is a team game, everyone needs to be ready and it’s not about everyone starting it’s about the team.</p>
<p>“We came here with the mentality to win, good ball from [Dilane] Bakwa [for his goal] as well and the way we started the game, we had more of the ball, brilliant from the team.</p>
<p>“Kudos to the manager and the staff – not only the people on the ground but the nutritionists, physio. It’s all about the team and looking forward to the next game. I believe it could be an amazing season for us.”</p>
</blockquote>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full”><img decoding=”async” width=”8100″ height=”5532″ src=”https://www.afrik-foot.com/en-ng/thumbor/70OG7qSmz6nUe32N79g4TjT40iU=/8100×5532/smart/filters:format(webp)/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.afrik-foot.com%2Fen-ng%2F2026%2F05%2Fimago1077037650.jpg” alt=”Nigeria and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi with Morgan Gibbs-White” class=”wp-image-914271″/><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Nigeria and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi with Morgan Gibbs-White. Copyright: xDanielxWeir/SportsxPressxIMAGO</figcaption></figure>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading”>Awoniyi-inspired Forest win: How it happened</h2>
<p>The tone was set almost as soon as the referee signaled kick-off. Just 98 seconds into the game, Dilane Bakwa delivered a dangerous cross from the right, and Awoniyi timed his run perfectly to power a header past the goalkeeper, giving Forest a dream 1-0 lead.</p>
<p>Chelsea struggled to recover from that early blow, and things got worse in the 15th minute. Awoniyi chased a dangerous cross in the penalty area and was pulled down by Malo Gusto. After a brief VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot, and Igor Jesus calmly converted to make it 2-0.</p>
<p>The hosts had a golden chance to respond before half-time. A clash of heads between Jesse Derry and Zach Abbott resulted in a penalty after a long stoppage for treatment. But Cole Palmer, usually so reliable, saw his effort saved, summing up a frustrating first half for Chelsea.</p>
<p>At the break, both sides made changes. Chelsea introduced Levi Colwill on his return from injury, while Forest brought on Nikola Milenkovic, Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White to maintain control.<br>It was Gibbs-White who helped put the result beyond doubt.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full”><img decoding=”async” width=”3909″ height=”2606″ src=”https://www.afrik-foot.com/en-ng/thumbor/jSqn7qnUsspDvV7JLr9S5IafX8k=/3909×2606/smart/filters:format(webp)/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.afrik-foot.com%2Fen-ng%2F2026%2F05%2Fimago1076541021.jpg” alt=”Nigeria and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi” class=”wp-image-914267″/><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Nigeria and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi. Copyright: xIMAGO/EveryxSecondxMedia</figcaption></figure>
<p>Shortly after coming on, he drove forward and delivered a precise pass into the box, where Awoniyi was waiting to tap in from close range for his second goal and Forest’s third.</p>
<p>Chelsea thought they had pulled one back in the 73rd minute through Joao Pedro, but the effort was ruled out for offside after a check. The Brazilian forward eventually scored in stoppage time with an acrobatic bicycle kick, but by then it was too late to change the outcome.</p>
<p>The final whistle confirmed a huge result for Forest. The win moves them six points clear of the relegation zone with just three matches remaining and extends their unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions.</p>
<p>The defeat ends any realistic hope Chelsea had of a top-five finish, leaving them 10 points behind Aston Villa.</p>
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