Taiwo Awoniyi praises Pereira impact after Forest stun Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

Taiwo Awoniyi paid tribute to Vítor Pereira and his backroom team after inspiring Nottingham Forest to a commanding 3-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, in a result that underlined the visitors’ growing confidence and tactical discipline.

Pereira took a bold approach heading into the West London encounter, rotating heavily with eight changes to his starting lineup.

The decision proved decisive, as Awoniyi seized his opportunity with a clinical display, leading the line with authority and composure against a Chelsea side that struggled to contain Forest’s direct threat.

Forest established control in the first half, with Igor Jesus converting from the penalty spot to cap a dominant opening spell.

Chelsea had a chance to respond before the interval when they were awarded a penalty of their own, but Matz Sels produced a crucial save to deny Cole Palmer deep into stoppage time, preserving Forest’s advantage and shifting momentum firmly in their favour.

Awoniyi then took centre stage shortly after the restart, striking again to effectively settle the contest and silence the home crowd.

His brace not only highlighted his individual sharpness but also reflected a cohesive team performance built on organisation and efficiency in key moments.

The victory lifts Forest to within six points of the Premier League’s top ten, marking a significant step forward in their push for a stronger league finish.

More notably, it reinforced the impact of Pereira’s methods, with squad rotation and tactical clarity combining to produce one of the club’s most impressive away displays of the season.

“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,” the former Liverpool player told Forest TV.

“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.”