Awoniyi named in Shearer’s Premier League Team of the Week

Premier League legend, Alan Shearer has named Nigeria’s Taiwo Awoniyi in his matchweek 35 team of the week after the Nigerian scored his first brace in the competition to lead his side, Nothingham Forest to a 4-3 defeat of Southampton at the City Ground.

The win also ensured Forest moved out of the relegation zone with just three games left.

Awoniyi has now scored against Southampton home and away, his first against any club in the Premier League and Shearer is convinced the 25 year old propelled his side to such a crucial win in the relegation race.

“Awoniyi showed strength and poise to score two goals that could just save Nottingham Forest from relegation,’ wrote Shearer.

The Nigerian has now scored six goals in his debut season in the Premier League and tops the Nigerian goalscoring chart for the season, supplanting the injured Kelechi Iheanacho who has scored a goal less.

Awoniyi will now be looking to score his first goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The Forest striker featured for 88 minutes when both sides battled to a 1-1 draw at the City Ground in January.