Taiwo Awoniyi scores historic EPL goal as Nottingham Forest bow at Manchester United

By Wale Mustapha

Taiwo Awoniyi made history as the Nigeria international was on score sheet during Manchester United’s 3-2 comeback win over Nottingham Forest at the Old Trafford on Saturday.

The Super Eagles’ striker opened the floodgate of goals in the encounter that The Triky Trees finished 10 men and suffered their first defeat of new campaign.

Awoniyi scoring in his second consecutive games in the Premier League has set him on par with Liverpool and Egypt forward, Mohammed Sallah and former Arsenal striker, Emmanuel Adebayor who hold same record by an African player in the English top flight.

The former Union Berlin forward has also become the first Forest player to score in seven straight games.

Awoniyi got his goal in the second minute from a Morgan Gibbs-White’s pass and surged forward with speed before burying the ball past Andre Onana.

Willy Boly doubled the lead for the visitors soon after to compound Manchester woes in the first as he get to the end of Gibbs-White delivery from free kick.

Marcus Rashford halfed the deficit for United before half time and that raised the hosts’ spirit and believe heading to the dugout.

Manchester United started the second half how they finished the first and would soon find the equalizer as he Rashford out pace his marker before finding captain Bruno Fernandes whose through pass was buried for 2-2 by Casemiro.

The table would soon turn for Manchester United as Nottingham were reduced to 10 men when Joe Worrall was shown a red card for bringing Fernandes down after the Portugal international was through on goal.

Minutes later United were given a chance to complete the comeback after Rashford was brought down in the box by Danilo, and Fernandes made no mistake from the penalty spot to complete a phenomenal fightback.

It was a victory for the Red Devils to get to positive mood after the disappointing defeat at Spurs while Nottingham will be facing a reality test of new campaign with the defeat.