Nigeria international Taiwo Awoniyi has revealed he was fully ready for his opportunity after delivering a standout performance in Premier League action, inspiring Nottingham Forest to a 3-1 victory over Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge.
Marking his 100th appearance for Forest in all competitions, Awoniyi produced a memorable display, scoring twice and winning a penalty in a dominant attacking outing.
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The 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner wasted no time announcing himself, firing Forest ahead just moments into the encounter with a clinical finish that stunned the home side.
His influence continued shortly after when he won a penalty following a challenge from Malo Gusto, allowing Igor Jesus to double the lead from the spot.
Awoniyi then capped off his performance early in the second half, calmly finishing from a well-delivered cross by Morgan Gibbs-White to effectively put the game beyond Chelsea’s reach.
Reflecting on the performance, the forward emphasized readiness and collective effort as key to the result.
“Football is a team game, everyone needs to be ready. It’s not about who starts, it’s about the team,” Awoniyi said.
“We came here with the mentality to win. The way we started, we had control, and it was brilliant from the whole team.”
He also praised the behind-the-scenes contributions that helped shape the performance.
“Kudos to the manager, the staff, the nutritionists, physios — everyone plays a part. It’s all about the team, and we’re looking forward to the next game. It could be an amazing season for us.”
The victory compounds a difficult run for Chelsea, who have now suffered six consecutive league defeats, their worst streak in over three decades.
For Awoniyi, the Blues appear to be a favored opponent, with the striker now boasting four goals in six appearances against the London club, a record that continues to underline his growing importance to Nottingham Forest’s attacking setup.
