Nigeria Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi became the first Nottingham Forest player to score in seven consecutive Premier League games after netting against Manchester United on Saturday afternoon, www.aclsports.com reports.
The 26-year-old got his side’s opening goal in the second minute at Old Trafford before Willy Boly doubled their advantage, only for Manchester United to rally back and eventually win the game 3-2 in a dramatic finish. Christian Eriksen ignited the comeback, and Casemiro levelled some minutes after the break before skipper Bruno Fernandes scored the winner from the spot late on.
Taiwo Awoniyi is the third African player in Premier League history to score in seven consecutive matches
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 26, 2023@NFFC pic.twitter.com/AD7aoBJxa9
After starting on the bench in the season opener at Arsenal, Awoniyi has been leading the line, and just like he did against Sheffield United, he scored the game’s opening goal on Saturday. The Nigeria international collected the ball inside his own half and ran through on goal before slotting the ball past Andre Onana.
Defender Boly added to Awoniyi’s opener and gave Steve Cooper’s side an excellent opportunity to claim their first away win in the Premier League since January but Christian Eriksen pulled one back and those hopes disappeared in the second half.
Casemiro levelled the scores just minutes after the break and when skipper Joe Worrall was sent off for a foul on Bruno Fernandes, the momentum switched in favour of Erik ten Hag’s team. In the end, the United captain scored the winner from the penalty spot after Marcus Rashford was fouled by Danilo to snatch the win from Awoniyi’s side.
The Super Eagles international, who is also the first Nigerian on the list, joined Emmanuel Adebayor and Mohamed Salah as the only Africans to have scored in seven consecutive Premier League games.
Meanwhile, since moving to the Premier League last season, Awoniyi has now scored against Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and now Manchester United.
Awoniyi will be keen to set his own personal record – 8+ goals in eight consecutive games – when his side travel to face Chelsea in his side’s next Premier League game.
