Awoniyi credits Chelsea win to amazing start

Nigeria forward Taiwo Awoniyi attributed Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 Premier League win against Chelsea to the team’s amazing start at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

Forest coach Vítor Pereira made eight changes going into the clash in West London, including bringing Awoniyi in to start against the Blues, and he went on to score a brace in the contest.

 

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Igor Jesus netted Forest’s other goal from the penalty spot in the first half to put the Reds in control Awoniyi netted his second soon into the second half to all but secure the win for Pereira’s side and move Forest to within six points of the top 10 in the Premier League.

‘It’s an important win’

“It was an amazing start and we had control of the ball in the first five minutes, which is what the coach wanted from us,” Awoniyi told Forest website.

“It’s an important win, credit to the players, to the coach and the staff. We came here with the mentality of getting three points, which we need, and I’m so pleased that we managed to win.

“It was an amazing delivery and I was in the right place at the right time to score. It was a team effort, not just about the goals. Morato as well, and the players that came on from the bench. It’s about the team and being ready for the team.”

Awoniyi added: “It felt really long at the end but thankfully the boys remained focused. It was about pushing until the end, keeping the ball and trying not to concede. We prepared well, set up right. The coach deserves a lot of credit.”

‘I believe we’ll go there to win’

On their upcoming game against Aston Villa in the Europa League, he said: “When you look at the season and where we are now, the boys have been brilliant. They have come through a lot and, with the way we are going, there are just a few more games.

“Next up we have Villa, which is another important game. We’re taking each game as it comes and going into it with a three-point mentality.
“I believe we’ll go there with that mentality against Villa, and we will see what comes next until the end of the season.”

The Nigerian played the full match for the first time in an injury-plagued 2025-26 campaign. After producing an assist in a very brief cameo at Sunderland on April 24, Monday’s exploits boosted his season totals to 4 goals and 1 assist in 15 matches from all competitions.