Awoniyi seals victory for Nottingham with first Premier League goal 

Taiwo Awoniyi has registered his first Premier League goal and it was an important one; sealing a 1-0 victory for Nottingham Forest over West Ham United.

Sunday's goal by Awoniyi ensured Forest won their first Premier League home game after 23 years and it marks a new beginning for the Nigerian striker who cost a club record fee from Union Berlin.

Before today, the City Ground had not hosted a top-flight match since 1999 and Awoniyi ensured it was a winning homecoming for Forest with his first-half goal.

The Nigerian striker bundled home from close range to become the first Forest player to score a Premier League goal since Chris Bart-Williams.

Awoniyi was handed a starting role on Sunday having started from the bench in the defeat at Newcastle on the opening weekend.

The decision by Steve Cooper paid off as Awoniyi provided the winning goal.

It was a perfect way for Awoniyi to make a statement after being denied Premier League action by Liverpool with whom he was signed on for six years but was continually shipped out on loan.

 The Reds signed on Awoniyi back in 2015 after a good run with the Golden Eaglets but was immediately loaned out to German team FSV Frankfurt – the first of seven loans before he made a move to Union Berlin permanent only last summer.

Now back to Premier League, Awoniyi has grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

Meanwhile apart from Awoniyi, Forest will have goalkeeper Dean Henderson to thank for keeping the three points as he saved Declan Rice’s second-half penalty.

He also made several other saves while Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma both hit the underside of the crossbar for the luckless Hammers, with the latter also seeing an opening goal ruled out by VAR in the first half.

Boss David Moyes will be left scratching his head as to how his side were on the losing side, but with two defeats from two, the Hammers will need to kickstart their season soon.

For Awoniyi, the arrival of country man Emmanuel Dennis should be extra motivation as they look to get the goals to keep Nottingham Forest in the top flight this season.