Awoniyi fires blanks on Forest debut

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Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi had a debut to forget as his Nottingham Forest side fell to a defeat to Newcastle in their opening game of the Premier League campaign, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The striker completed a £17.5m move to The Reds ahead of the Premier League season.
Awoniyi, 24, who impressed for Union Berlin last season, scoring 15 league goals was unable to find the back of the net in the over 30 minutes he played after coming on for Sam Surridge in the 63rd minute.
A Fabian Schar wondergoal and Callum Wilson’s deft finish broke newly promoted Forest’s stubborn resistance as Newcastle earned a well deserved victory at St James’ Park.
Centre-back Schar collected a loose ball on the edge of the box before sending a blistering effort into the net via the inside of the near post – a goal not dissimilar to the Switzerland international’s strike against Burnley in February 2019.
Wilson put the result beyond doubt 12 minutes from time, directing a first-time flick over Dean Henderson and into the far corner from Joelinton’s cross.
The pressure on the visitors’ goal was relentless from the first minute, but for all Newcastle’s territorial dominance they struggled to seriously test Forest goalkeeper Henderson in the first half.
Joelinton went closest to a breakthrough for the home side before half-time, dragging his shot wide from close range following a striding run from midfield.
Steve Cooper’s side failed to register a shot on target but were denied an unlikely opener by Schar in the first half, the Magpies defender producing an outstanding block to deny Jesse Lingard inside the Newcastle area.
The result stretches Forest’s losing league run at St James’ Park to seven matches.