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Nigeria international Taiwo Awoniyi scored two goals to hand Nottingham Forest all three points in a pulsating 4-3 victory against fellow relegation strugglers Southampton at the City Ground, Nottingham on Monday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The goal means the former Liverpool player scored for the first time in four months.
Coincidentally, the 25-year-old last scored in January in Forest 1-0 win against Southampton on match-day 19.
The Super Eagles striker suffered a groin injury that ruled him out of action for two months, missing nine Premier League games.
After two months, Awoniyi made his long-awaited return against Wolves and featured for just four minutes as both sides played out a 1-1 draw at The City Ground.
Having featured in seven games since his return from injury, the forward finally found the back of the net and he did it in style as he scored two quick goals to keep Forest’s hopes of staying in the topflight league alive.
He was taken off in the 81st minute for Sam Surridge.
In an exhilarating seven-goal thriller, Awoniyi’s double had given Forest early control at the City Ground but Southampton responded through Carlos Alcaraz but Morgan Gibbs-White made it 3-1 to Forest from the penalty spot.
Southampton’s Lyanco and James Ward-Prowse then netted either side of Forest’s Danilo, but the hosts held on.
Having seen Everton jump out of the bottom three with a stunning victory over Brighton earlier on Monday, Forest knew they needed to do the same and have now climbed up to 16th, above the Toffees.
Onuachu plays, Aribo out
Striker Paul Onuachu came on for the Saints but midfielder Joe Aribo once again failed to make the starting 11 as the visitors suffered their 23rd defeat of the season.
Onuachu has only made 10 appearances for the Saints since his move to the club in January and has failed to score a goal or register an assist.
On Monday, he was left on the bench again by manager Ruben Selles before being introduced in the 76th minute for Che Adams.
Meanwhile, Aribo was completely left out of the squad for the game.
In Southampton’s last 17 games, Aribo has failed to make the match-day squad on nine occasions and was an unused substitute in six games while managing only two appearances.
Iwobi shines
Alex Iwobi put up another impressive display against Brighton as Eveton stunned hosts Brighton 5-1 to stay out of the Premier League relegation waters.
The Nigerian was heavily involved in three of the goals scored by the visitors.
Just 34 seconds into the encounter, the 27-year-old sent a fine pass to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who nicely set up Abdoulaye Doucoure for the opener.
The visitors kept piling on the pressure and they doubled their lead in the 29th minute thanks again to some fine work from Iwobi, who collected the ball inside his own half and cooly controlled it in the final third, before sending the ball forward to Dwight McNeil, who set up Doucoure for his second goal.
Apart from his offensive threats, Iwobi doubled up with Nathan Patterson at the back to help keep Kaoru Mitoma at bay.
For his great work, the former Arsenal man finally got his assist of the game.
With a swift counter-attack, McNeil was slipped in behind by Iwobi, who rounded Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele to put Everton out of sight.
Iwobi has now taken his assists tally to nine this season.
Ndidi misery
Wilfred Ndidi came on from the bench for Youri Tielemans in the 60th minute as Leicester slipped further into relegation trouble as they endured a woeful 5-3 defeat away to Fulham to end their three-game unbeaten run and inflict damage on their survival hopes.
Starting the game outside of the bottom three on goals difference, Dean Smith’s side were ripped apart in the first half at Craven Cottage as Willian, Carlos Vinicius and Tom Cairney all took advantage of shambolic defending to bury Leicester before the break.
After Ndidi’s introduction on the hour mark, the Foxes took control of the game and scored two goals to reduce the deficit but it was not enough to mount a comeback.
Ajayi on target
In the English Championship, Semi Ajayi scored a goal in West Bromwich Albion 3-2 defeat to Swansea.
The defender had a good game and will hope to build on that as the season draws to a close.
West Brom took the lead in the 13th minute through Yokuslu before Swansea equalised in the 26th minute with an effort from Cundle.
Ajayi restored West Brom’s lead in the 54th minute to silence the home crowd but Ntcham drew Swansea level in the 66th minute before Piroe sealed the game for the hosts in the 93rd minute.