Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi was on the scoresheet for Nottingham Forest on Monday night, as they thrashed Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 in the English Premier League.
Nottingham Forest delivered a textbook counter-attacking display to secure an impressive win at Molineux.
Wolves manager Vítor Pereira had hoped to extend his unbeaten start since taking over from Gary O’Neil, but high-flying Forest had other plans.
The visitors took the lead just seven minutes into the match, with former Wolves player Morgan Gibbs-White leading the charge. Despite the home crowd’s frustration, Gibbs-White played a perfect ball to Anthony Elanga, who then returned it for Gibbs-White to finish and silence the Molineux crowd.
Wolves responded well to going behind and had several chances to level the game, but poor finishing let them down. First, Hwang Hee-chan drove into the box, but Jørgen Strand Larsen failed to convert. Then, Rodrigo Gomes unleashed a powerful volley that was saved by Forest’s goalkeeper Matz Sels, who also denied Strand Larsen’s header from point-blank range.
These missed opportunities would prove costly for Wolves, as Forest doubled their lead just before halftime. On another swift counter-attack, Callum Hudson-Odoi raced into the box and pulled the ball back for Chris Wood to sweep home his 12th Premier League goal of the season.
With a 2-0 lead at halftime, Forest’s confidence grew, especially given their strong defensive record, while Wolves were left with a mountain to climb.
The second half saw Wolves press for a comeback, but Forest’s defense, led by Sels and Nikola Milenković, stood firm. Forest also had chances to extend their lead, with Elliott Anderson’s shot narrowly missing the target.
As the game entered stoppage time, Forest sealed their victory with a third goal. Substitutes James Ward-Prowse and Taiwo Awoniyi combined well, with Ward-Prowse delivering a perfect ball for Awoniyi to tap into an empty net.
The win marked Forest’s 12th Premier League victory of the season, taking them to 40 points and level with second-placed Arsenal, although trailing on goal difference.
The defeat leaves Wolves just outside the relegation zone on goal difference, with tough fixtures ahead that will challenge Pereira’s ability to turn things around.
