Photo Credit - Nottingham Forest.
Nigeria international Taiwo Awoniyi was among the goals as Nottingham Forest defeated Exeter City 4-2 on penalties to set up an Emirates FA Cup fifth round tie against Ipswich Town.
The home side started brightly and took the lead through Josh Magennis inside five minutes - the striker pouncing on an error to bundle home from close-range.
However, Forest responded immediately after Ivory Coast player Ibrahim Sangare, who was making his first start since August, picked out Ramon Sosa on the edge of the area, and the winger showed good strength before firing beyond Joe Whitworth for 1-1.
In the 37th minute, Sangare played another clever pass through the defence line, this time for the advancing Awoniyi, who held off a couple of defenders before producing a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
However, in the closing moments of the second half, Awoniyi jumped to challenge for a high ball but was hit in the face by Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth, who was attempting to clear the ball to safety. The impact left both players down on the pitch, and the medical personnel swiftly attended to the situation. Awoniyi was later stretchered off.
Speaking after the game, Forest coach Nuno Espirito confirmed that the Super Eagles star had suffered a broken nose. “It was a concussion and a broken nose. He was in a lot of pain,” he explained. “But he has a smile on his face because he scored for us and did an amazing job. We are delighted for him (to get his goal).”
So far in the league, Awoniyi has featured 19 times and scored one goal.
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