Awoniyi's goal against Southampton lifts Forest from bottom three

Super Eagles forward Taiwo Awoniyi was the scorer as Nottingham Forest claimed their first away win of the season as they beat Southampton 1-0 at St Mary’s.

Awoniyi’s goal sealed a huge victory for Steve Cooper’s side. And it lifted them out of the bottom three for the first time since September.

The Reds led at the break after scoring only their second away goal of the campaign. But they might well have netted more in the first half.

There was a let-off for the visitors with seven minutes gone, when Che Adams fired wide after being put through one-on-one with Dean Henderson. And although James Ward-Prowse and Kyle Walker-Peters had glimpses of goal for the Saints, it was Forest who went on to create the better chances.

Brennan Johnson was denied by the woodwork in the 12th minute, following good work down the left by Taiwo Awoniyi, while Morgan Gibbs-White sent a cross-shot off target.

The breakthrough came just before the half-hour. Johnson robbed Lyanco of possession and tore up the pitch, then squared for Awoniyi to sidefoot the ball beyond Gavin Bazunu.

Ryan Yates headed a Gibbs-White cross wide soon after, and that was followed by boos ringing out from the home fans at half-time. Forest had to survive a spell of pressure in a scrappy second half, but Henderson was rarely troubled as a massive victory was sealed. 

Forest reporter who scored Awoniyi eight out of ten described the Eagles striker, “ A proper menace, just as he was against Chelsea. Has really stepped it up since the break. Deserved his goal. Hopefully bringing him off was just precautionary.”