By Ebenezer Bajela.
Former Liverpool defender has likened Nigeria international, Taiwo Awoniyi, to former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, following his impressive performance against Southampton on Monday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Awoniyi scored two goals to hand Nottingham Forest all three points in a pulsating 4-3 victory against their fellow relegation strugglers at the City Ground.
Forest climbed out of the bottom three, thanks to Awoniyi’s brace, Morgan Gibbs-White’s penalty and Danilo’s brilliant team goal to give a realistic hope that they could avoid the drop in their first season back in the top tier after 23 years out.
After firing home from 10 yards out following a perfect cross from Brennan Johnson, Awoniyi soon doubled his tally, and in some style too, as he hit an instinctive volley on the turn after Danilo’s improvised pass in the area.
It’s the first time the former Liverpool man would score in four months.
Former Liverpool defender Carragher, who is now a Sky Sports analyst, said Awoniyi’s second strike reminded him of Drogba, a Premier league legend.
“He reminded me of Drogba as soon as I saw the goal,“ he said, as quoted by Nottinghampost.
“Absolutely brilliant. I’ve been in that position as a defender. The turn – and bang. Brilliant,” he added.
Despite a season blighted by injuries, Awoniyi has managed to score five goals and an assist in 26 games across all competitions.