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Nottingham Forest match winner, Taiwo Awoniyi, is filled with positivity after helping his side record their first win of the season, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Having made a cameo appearance against Newcastle United on the opening day, which they lost 2-0, the former Union Berlin striker was handed his first start – pairing Jesse Lingard and Brennan Johnson in a three-man attack.
Awoniyi, Forest’s £17m record signing this summer, applied the first-time finish after Lingard’s effort had been deflected into his path off Hammers defender Ben Johnson to hand the newcomers their first win in the Premier League in 23 years.
The striker believes the win will spur Forest ahead of their next game at Everton.
“I’m really happy about the goal — it was a dream for me to score and for the team to win,” Awoniyi said in his post-match conference.
“As a striker, you just have to be ready for anything around the goal. It’s all about getting ready whether you are starting or coming on from the bench.
“We must say a very big thank you to the fans because from the beginning they got behind the team and you can see how it kept the team going until the last minute.
“I’m really happy about it because it took me a long journey to get back to the Premier League and I’m very, very proud of myself.
“The win will give more confidence to the team; it will keep us going for the next game. I believe we will have a great season as a team.”
After featuring for 72 minutes, Awoniyi was subbed off for Sam Surridge.
He is expected to keep his place for the trip to Goodison Park on Saturday.