Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has said that his Nottingham Forest side had the mindset of beating Chelsea even before they met in their English Premier League clash on Monday.
Awoniyi, making a rare start, struck twice as Forest stunned Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge to pull further away from relegation trouble.
The Nigeria international earned praise for his key brace, but shared the credit for the performance and result with his teammates.
“Football is a team game, everyone needs to be ready and it’s not about everyone starting, it’s about the team,” Awoniyi told Sky Sports.
“We came here with the mentality to win, good ball from [Dilane] Bakwa for my first goal as well and the way we started the game, we had more of the ball, brilliant from the team.”
Forest, who are in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League, are now six points clear of the relegation zone with three rounds of matches left to end the Premier League season.
Meanwhile, the result ended any lingering hopes Chelsea had of finishing fifth and earning a UEFA Champions League spot for next season.
“Kudos to the manager and the staff – not only the people on the ground but the nutritionists, physio,” Awoniyi added.
“It’s all about the team and looking forward to the next game. I believe it could be an amazing season for us.”
Awoniyi, 28, has made only 14 Premier League appearances this season, 11 of them starts, registering four goals and two assists.
