In a massive game in the Premier League relegation fight, Nottingham Forest produced a commanding performance to secure a 3–0 away victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with two Nigerian internationals featuring for the visitors.

Ola Aina completed the full 90 minutes, while Taiwo Awoniyi was introduced with 19 minutes remaining, replacing Brazilian forward Igor Jesus.

Forest broke the deadlock just before the interval as Igor Jesus headed home from a corner, handing the visitors a lead at half-time.

In the 62nd minute, Morgan Gibbs-White, a reported target for Tottenham last summer, doubled the advantage, calmly finishing after being left completely unmarked.

Awoniyi then put the result beyond doubt, meeting a superb cross from Neco Williams with a composed volley at the back post to seal an emphatic victory.

Having endured a slow start to the campaign, failing to score in his first eight appearances across all competitions, Awoniyi has now found form, netting twice in his last five outings in the English top flight.

His earlier struggles for goals and limited playing time saw him omitted from Nigeria’s final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

He has also not been included for the March international fixtures in Turkey against Iran and Jordan.

With the victory, Nottingham Forest open up a three-point gap over West Ham United, who were beaten 2–0 by Aston Villa.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel