The Super Eagles striker’s first league goal for Coventry, a solo run helped by a deflection, lifted the Sky Blues out of the relegation zone and earned the praise of the former Premier League striker.
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Taiwo Awoniyi has been named in former Premier League striker Troy Deeney’s BBC Sport Team of the Week after Coventry City’s 3-1 win over Sunderland. Deeney called the Nigerian’s goal an “unbelievable solo goal” and praised him for imposing himself on the game.
The goal came in the 37th minute at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday, October 31. Sunderland defender Luke O’Nien lost possession in his own half, and Awoniyi charged through two challenges before shooting. The ball took a deflection off Omar Alderete on its way past goalkeeper Robin Roefs.
It was Coventry’s second goal of the afternoon. Tatsuhiro Sakamoto had opened the scoring in the 17th minute with his first Premier League goal, and Jack Rudoni made it 3-0 early in the second half with a shot that also took a deflection off Alderete. Enzo Le Fée pulled one back for Sunderland from the penalty spot, and Alderete was later sent off.
“If Coventry are to stay up, he’s going to be why.”
A Slow Start Behind Him
The praise follows a difficult start to the season. Awoniyi joined Coventry from Nottingham Forest in the summer, and the goal against Sunderland was his first league goal for the club. He was sent off in Coventry’s 5-0 defeat to Brighton in September, and that he has scored twice in eight appearances in all competitions.
Last season he scored four Premier League goals, so this effort at least shows he is moving in the right direction. Fans who follow Nigerian strikers in England can check the Bet9ja promotion for EPL fans before the next round of games.
Deeney said it was good to see the big man back playing and in a position to impose himself. His return to the starting line-up against Sunderland gave Frank Lampard’s side a timely boost.
What It Means For Coventry
The result mattered a great deal in the table. It lifted Coventry out of the relegation zone and left Sunderland rooted to the bottom, after the Black Cats’ sixth defeat in nine league games.
Coventry also have history on their side in this fixture, as they have lost only once in their last 13 meetings with Sunderland. Readers who want to follow the relegation battle can look at Bet9ja’s YOHAIG sign-up perks before kick-off.
The next test comes quickly, with Coventry facing Everton on Friday, November 6, at 9pm Nigerian time. Awoniyi will hope to build on his first goal and show that Deeney’s faith is justified.
A confident striker could also help his national team, as Eric Chelle has yet to name his Super Eagles squad for the Tanzania qualifiers. Goals in the Premier League can only help his case.
Coventry still have a long way to go to secure survival, and one win will not change that. Awoniyi’s goal gave them a platform, though, and fans who like to forecast results can try Super9ja’s weekend predictions alongside the Premier League games.
📌 Did You Know?
- Coventry have lost only once in their last 13 meetings with Sunderland, winning six and drawing six.
- Awoniyi scored four Premier League goals last season, before leaving Nottingham Forest for Coventry in the summer.
- Sakamoto’s opener was his first Premier League goal, and both Awoniyi’s and Rudoni’s goals took deflections off Omar Alderete.
- Enzo Le Fée’s penalty was Sunderland’s only goal, and Alderete was shown a red card late in the game.
- The defeat was Sunderland’s sixth in their first nine league matches this season.
