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After 385 days, Super Eagles forward Taiwo Awoniyi scored a Premier League goal for the first time since 16 January 2025, against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The goal came in the 79th minute, just 11 minutes after coming on against Brentford
Goals in either half from Igor Jesus and the Nigerian saw Nottingham Forest restore their five-point gap above resurgent West Ham and the Premier League relegation zone with a potentially vital 2-0 win at Gtech Community Stadium.
Brentford began brightly and were unlucky not to open the scoring after just 94 seconds with Igor Thiago poking wide.
But the visitors struck in the 12th minute when Igor Jesus found the far corner in style after initially controlling on his chest before swivelling and volleying beyond Caoimhin Kelleher.
The hosts had ample warning the Brazilian required closer attention, having seen him spurn another opportunity five minutes earlier.
Forest had won just three of their previous 11 away Premier League games before Sunday’s encounter and retreated into their shell after going in front as nerves started to settle in.
Substitute Sepp van den Berg, who replaced injured defender Kristoffer Ajer in the 37th minute, was inches away from an equaliser on the stroke of half-time after heading narrowly wide.
The Bees dominated possession and territory after the break but failed to register a single shot on target.
Igor Thiago went closest with a half volley that strayed wide in the final 15 minutes as Forest held on tightly to their narrow advantage.
With time running out, Brentford were caught on the counter when Awoniyi showed strength to hold off a defender before finishing through Kelleher’s legs for his first league goal in a year.
