EPL: Awoniyi scores in Forest 2-0 defeat of West Ham as Wright and Rooney hail Saka
Goals from Super Eagles forward Taiwo Awoniyi and Callum Hudson-Odoi saw Nottingham Forest bag their first Premier League win of 2024 as they beat West Ham United 2-0.
The Reds could have opened the scoring with just four minutes on the clock as they made a positive start Trentside. Anthony Elanga forced a strong save from Alphonse Areola with a first-time effort after he had latched on to Nuno Tavares’ ball into the box.
And it was a similar story when Morgan Gibbs-White had a go from close range on the half-hour mark. From his effort, though, West Ham launched a quick attack and it needed a last-ditch intervention by Murillo to stop Michail Antonio after Felipe had lost his footing.
Forest were playing some nice football as they had the better of the first half. Just when it looked as though they would be left to rue not making the most of their opportunities, Awoniyi put them in front on the stroke of half-time. Played by Nicolas Dominguez, the frontman performed a neat turn before firing past Areola.
The hosts went close to building on their lead in the second half. And they were given a golden opportunity to kill the game off when West Ham were reduced to 10 men following a red card for Kalvin Phillips.
The Reds felt they should have had a penalty for a foul on Neco Williams but VAR deemed otherwise. However, Hudson-Odoi made sure of the points in added time. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the City Ground.
Elsewhere, Arsenal legend Ian Wright has described Gunners forward Bukayo Saka as “world-class” following his goals against Burnley on Saturday afternoon.
Mikel Arteta‘s Arsenal charges secured a routine 5-0 win over the Premier League strugglers in Lancashire.
Gunners captain Martin Odegaard opened the scoring in the fourth minute, firing into the bottom-right corner from outside the box.
Then, in the 41st minute, Arsenal won a penalty after Lorenz Assignon fouled Leandro Trossard. Saka duly stepped up from the spot to convert.
Wright took to X at halftime to hail the 22-year-old Gunners star’s clinical finish from 12 yards out.
“Clinical! Second was needed to show the dominance,” wrote the Highbury icon. “Saka world class.”
Earlier this week, Rio Ferdinand caused a bit of a stir when he said Saka could not yet be described as world-class.
“He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, has he? I’m talking in the nitty-gritty stages,” Ferdinand said on Vibe with FIVE.
“Saka’s top, don’t get me wrong. He’s not world-class yet.”
Wright’s choice of words, complete with sunglasses emoji, may or may not have been a response to those who don’t think Saka can yet be classed as world-class.
Also, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has opened up on his admiration for the ‘amazing’ Saka while highlighting Arsenal’s Premier League talisman as a big part of England’s future.
“We’re blessed in England at the minute with so many young players,” Rooney, whose international career peaked when still a teenager at Euro 2024, tells Lyes Bouzoudi on his YouTube channel.
“You look at Bellingham, Saka who I think is amazing, Rashford, (Phil) Foden. There are so many good young players. And hopefully, they are the players who can bring the trophy back.”
With 13 goals and 13 assists in all competitions, Saka’s numbers this season are the envy of most forwards in the game. Not even Rashford, Vinicius Jr, nor Rafael Leao – who is a leading target to replace Kylian Mbappe at PSG, can keep pace with a man whom Arsenal will look to above all others amid
another title charge.
