Taiwo Awoniyi delivered a standout performance on Monday afternoon, scoring twice to inspire Nottingham Forest to a convincing 3-1 win over Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge.
With one eye on their crucial Europa League semi-final second leg clash against Aston Villa later in the week, Forest manager Vitor Pereira rotated his squad but the changes paid off almost immediately.
Forest came out flying, taking control of the game within the first 15 minutes. Awoniyi opened the scoring with a well-timed header, connecting cleanly with a dangerous cross from Dilane Bakwa. Moments later, the Nigerian forward turned provider in a different way drawing a foul in the box to win a penalty, which Igor Jesus calmly converted to double the lead.
Chelsea struggled to find rhythm in attack despite enjoying spells of possession. Their best chance in the first half came from the spot after Jesse Derry was brought down in the area. However, Cole Palmer failed to convert, as Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels produced a crucial save to maintain the visitors’ advantage.
The second half followed a familiar pattern Chelsea controlled the ball but lacked cutting edge, while Forest remained dangerous on the counter. That threat paid off again in the 52nd minute when Awoniyi struck his second of the match. A quick break saw Morgan Gibbs-White square the ball perfectly for the striker, who made no mistake from close range to put the game beyond doubt at 3-0.
Chelsea managed to pull one back late on, but it did little to change the outcome of what was a dominant and disciplined display from Forest.
For Awoniyi, it was more than just a brace; it was a reminder of his quality and importance to both club and country. As Forest now shift focus to their European showdown, performances like this will only boost their confidence heading into a defining fixture.
