Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi did not only score last night for Nottingham Forest against Manchester United, but made history by becoming the third African player in the Premier League history to score in seven successive matches.
It took the Ilorin-born striker just 2 minutes into the tie to cause chaos at Old Trafford, scoring an early lead goal for the visitors. Forest extended their lead after two minutes, but their strength was truncated after one of its players was sent off via a red card – a feat that aided Manchester in a comeback to win the tie by 3-2.
Awoniyi’s seven seven-goal scoring streak began last season against Southampton, he scored two goals in that game to help his side avoid relegation. Against Chelsea, he also netted a brace for Forest during their 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. He scored in their encounters against Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
This season the streak of goal-scoring continued after coming off the bench in Forest’s first game to grab a goal for Arsenal. He went on to score against Sheffield United and Manchester United.
Awoniyi scored 9 goals in those seven consecutive games to equal Mohamed Salah and Emmanuel Adebayor’s record as the only Africans in the Premier League to attain such an accomplishment.
