Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi extended his remarkable streak by finding the net in his seventh consecutive Premier League match, although Nottingham Forest ultimately succumbed to a 3-2 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford this Saturday.
Awoniyi, the former Union Berlin forward, etched his name in Forest’s history books as he became the first player from the club to achieve the remarkable feat of scoring in seven successive games. This accomplishment aligns him with the esteemed company of Mohammed Salah and Emmanuel Adebayor, who are the only other Africans to have attained this record.
Awoniyi’s moment of brilliance arrived just 86 seconds into the match, when he seized the opportunity to put Forest ahead on the counter. His early goal was swiftly followed by Willy Boly’s strike from a well-executed free-kick.
In a noteworthy turn of events, Manchester United found themselves trailing by two goals within the first four minutes of a Premier League game—an unprecedented situation for the club. However, they mounted a determined comeback, with Christian Eriksen narrowing the deficit by converting a cross from Marcus Rashford.
Casemiro squandered a golden opportunity to level the score but redeemed himself shortly after the start of the second half. He capitalized on a cleverly orchestrated free-kick routine, slotting the ball home and restoring parity.
United’s momentum received an additional boost when Worrall was sent off for denying Fernandes a clear scoring opportunity. The team’s captain capitalized on this advantage, netting the decisive goal from the penalty spot after Danilo was adjudged to have brought down Rashford.
The match marked United’s first appearance since the confirmation of Mason Greenwood’s departure from Old Trafford. In light of injuries, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw were relegated to the directors’ box, making way for three changes to the United lineup. Forest began the game with a burst of energy, launching a blistering counter-attack that caught United off guard.
After an early Antony shot led to a corner, Steve Cooper’s team cleared the ball, and Morgan Gibbs-White’s header set the stage. Awoniyi demonstrated exceptional determination and strength, outshining Rashford as he gained possession deep within his own half. With a powerful surge forward, Awoniyi maintained his composure under pressure as he approached the goal. He calmly maneuvered past Andre Onana and slotted the ball past him, solidifying his role as a standout performer in the match.
