Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has compared Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi to former Chelsea forward Didier Drogba following his first half performance against Southampton on Monday.
The 25-year-old was the beneficiary of good work by Brennan Johnson to put Forest in the lead in the 18th minute. It got better for the Reds and Awoniyi just three minutes later when he turned well to put the ball beyond Alex McCarthy in the Southampton goal.
While analysing the goal at the half time break , the Sky Sports pundit Carragher made the comparison.
“ He reminded me of Drogba as soon as I saw the goal,” he said on Monday Night Football. “Absolutely brilliant. I’ve been in that position as a defender.
“The turn – and bang. Brilliant.”
In a related development, the Super Eagles striker has expressed his excitement after scoring his first English Premier League brace for Nottingham Forest in their 4-3 victory over Southampton.
The Saints were the better team from the start, but Nottingham Forest soon grew into the game. Awoniyi was in his elements on the night, and he soon capitalized, scoring twice – in the 18th and 21st minutes to put the Tricky Trees in front.
However, Morgan Gibbs-White and Danilo scored the other two goals for Forest while James Ward-Prowse, Lyanco, and Carlos Alcaraz scored for Southampton. The victory ensured that the Tricky Trees climbed out of the relegation zone.
The Nigeria striker took to social media to share his excitement.
“Ordinary men defended and influenced by the jealousy of a great God. He is the greatest. Dream and believe it,” the former Union Berlin man wrote.
Awoniyi’s last brace came in May last year in his last game for Union Berlin. He now has six goals and one assist this season.