Nottingham Forest turned their first point of the 2023-24 Premier League season into three on Friday, as Chris Wood headed home a late winner to beat Sheffield United at the City Ground.
Taiwo Awoniyi put Forest in front after just three minute, when Serge Aurier served up his first of two tasty crosses into the penalty area. Awoniyi rose highest to bag his second goal of the season after scoring against Arsenal in the opener last weekend. Three minutes into the second half, though, and Sheffield United were level after Gustavo Hamer placed his sensational equalizer where no goalkeeper in the world could reach it.
Six minutes of regular time left, and it was still 1-1. Enter: the big Kiwi. Aurier delivered another delightful ball into the box and Wood showed his aerial prowess with a glancing header to loop the ball far post and send the home supporters into rapturous celebrations.
Red-hot Awoniyi proving the scorer Forest signed last summer
Nottingham Forest’s first season back in the Premier League could be graciously described as chaotic for any number of reasons, the least of which being the number of new players brought into the club during the summer transfer window of 2022. Some worked out quite well, some not so much, and then there’s Taiwo Awoniyi, who went to another level at the tail end of last season and has picked up where he left off this term.
Nott'm Forest's in-form man 📈
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 18, 2023
Taiwo Awoniyi has now scored eight goals in his last six Premier League games 🔥 pic.twitter.com/I3cz5d5KsX
What’s next?
Nottingham Forest will travel to west London to take on Chelsea next Saturday (10 am ET). Sheffield United will host Everton at Bramall Lane earlier in the day on Saturday (7:30 am ET).
Nottingham Forest vs Sheffield United, final score: 2-1
Goalscorers: Taiwo Awoniyi (3'), Gustavo Hamer (48'), Chris Wood (89')
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Sheffield United live, stream link, time
Kickoff: 2:45pm ET, Friday (August 18)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBCSports.com
Here's how the Bladesmen line up at @NFFC this evening! 💪 @premierleague | #SUFC 🟡 pic.twitter.com/xYsQ789ZwS
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) August 18, 2023
How we'll line up to face @SheffieldUnited ❤️#NFOSHU
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) August 18, 2023
The Forest XI was fairly familiar outside of Matt Turner, and things got more interesting as the Arsenal game dragged into the final 20 minutes.
Taiwo Awoniyi came into the game and scored, while Morgan Gibbs-White and new signing Anthony Elanga were also on the field as Forest pushed for an equalizer.
The questions for the moment:
- Will Forest will roll with Turner and give up on pursuit of Dean Henderson?
- Is Brennan Johnson going to stay with the Tricky Trees or will West Ham land the 22-year-old?
Blades only got one shot from a forward, as 20-year-old William Osula managed the feat.
There were bright spots in the playmaking department as Oliver Norwood and Benie Traore flashed minor threats.
Yet fresh reports of the a loan for summer target Carney Chukwuemeka of Chelsea will be greeted with enthusiasm by Paul Heckingbottom, who could use a bit more electricity in his XI.
Sheffield United goalkeeper Wesley Foderingham made seven saves against Palace and the ex-Rangers man could be a key part of Blades’ hopes to stay afloat this season.