EPL: Awoniyi scores as Forest boost survival hopes with win at Brentford

Nottingham Forest strengthened their Premier League survival bid with a disciplined away win over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Goals from Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi sealed a valuable three points that moved Forest level on points with 16th-placed Leeds United and five clear of the relegation zone, increasing the pressure on teams below them.

Igor Jesus strikes early

Brentford made a lively start and almost took the lead inside two minutes when Igor Thiago poked wide from close range. That early miss proved costly.

Forest went ahead in the 12th minute through Igor Jesus, who produced a moment of quality by controlling the ball on his chest, spinning sharply and volleying past Caoimhin Kelleher into the far corner. It was a deserved opener after the Brazilian had already gone close moments earlier.

Forest sit deep as Brentford push

Having taken the lead, Forest dropped deeper and focused on protecting their advantage.

The visitors, who had won only three of their previous 11 away league games, showed clear signs of tension as Brentford increased the pressure.

The hosts came close to equalising just before half-time when substitute Sepp van den Berg, on for the injured Kristoffer Ajer, headed narrowly wide at the back post.

Awoniyi seals it late on

Brentford dominated possession after the interval but struggled to turn control into clear chances, failing to register a single shot on target.

Igor Thiago came closest with a half-volley that drifted wide in the closing stages.

With Brentford pushing forward late on, Forest struck decisively on the counter-attack. Taiwo Awoniyi used his strength to shrug off a defender before finishing through Kelleher’s legs, scoring his first league goal in a year and putting the result beyond doubt.

The win gives Forest renewed belief in their fight for survival, while Brentford were left to rue missed opportunities and a lack of cutting edge in the final third.