Super Eagles ace and Nottingham Forest new signing Taiwo Awoniyi earned a six out of ten rating in Wednesday’s premier league crash against Manchester City at the Ethihad Stadium. The Nigeria international was thrown into the game in the 58th minute.
The Citizens were not in a mercy mood as they took the visitors to the cleaners in a 6-0 demolition that saw Erling Haaland grabbing his first hat-trick in nine goals in five Premier League games.
The Norwegian took his tally for the Premier League season to nine in just his fifth appearance in the competition with all three of his goals coming in the first half as Steve Cooper’s newly-promoted side just could not cope with City’s new centre-forward.
A wonderful strike from Joao Cancelo made it four before two goals by the impressive Julian Alvarez on his full Premier League debut capped the night for Pep Guardiola’s side.
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The victory keeps the Premier League champions within two points of early leaders Arsenal in the table, while Nottingham Forest remain on four points.
City were in total control from the outset with Forest content to defend deep. That tactic was always likely to be a risky approach when the opposition forward is the biggest presence in the penalty box, quicker and stronger than everyone else in it.
Haaland’s first goal came when he got to the ball first from Phil Foden’s cross and the second came not long after. Forest goalkeeper Dean Henderson’s pass only found Bernardo Silva and City succeeded in smartly working the ball to their striker once again.
Pep Guardiola made two changes to the Man City team with Ilkay Gundogan coming in for Kevin De Bruyne and Julian Alvarez replacing Riyad Mahrez.