Taiwo Awoniyi scored a brace for a second straight game to help Nottingham Forest to a 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Awoniyi headed Forest in front at Bridge after an error by Chelsea goalie Eduoard Mendy allowed the Nigerian striker opportunity to head into an empty net in the 13th minute.
Chelsea produced a second half fight-back to lead before the hour mark. Englishman Raheem Sterling scored in the 51st and 58th minute to put the Blues 2-1 up.
That lead was clipped four minutes after when Awoniyi headed home from an Orel Mangala assist for his second goal of the game to level scores at 2-2.
A nervy closing period followed as Chelsea piled pressure on Forest in search of a winner, but Steve Copper’s men held on to claim a vital point in their battle against relegation.
Nottingham Forest are now three points clear of the drop zone, thanks to Awoniyi who has scored four goals in the last two games to earn the club four points and climb to 16th.
AWONIYI A THREAT
Paul Merson hailed Awoniyi as a threat in front, one whose current form should be enough to secure safety for Forest.
In his post-match reaction Merson said “For Forest to go 2-1 down and draw 2-2, it’s a massive, massive point. A thoroughly deserved one and a massive one at the same time.
“Awoniyi, who scored the two goals, was a threat. He held the ball up well. I saw him the other week playing away from home, and he was taken off, he didn’t do well. Now he looks a handful, he’s holding it up and playing it simple and scored two goals. They were simple.
“With him playing like that with a couple of games left, I’d be quite shocked if Forest went down from here. To come back with that away record is very, very good.
