Awoniyi Gibbs-White Nottingham Forest
(Credit: Imago)

Nottingham Forest fans taken aback by one thing Gibbs-White did after scoring vs West Ham

Jonathan Burnett
Jonathan Burnett

Taiwo Awoniyi was sent a message of solidarity by his Nottingham Forest team-mates in their 2-0 win over West Ham United.

Forest have been under the spotlight in recent days after Awoniyi was injured in their last match against Leicester City, colliding with a post as he slid in to try to score and rupturing his intestine in the process.

Awoniyi was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery on Monday (12 May) amid a fallout dominated by Evangelos Marinakis’ post-match conduct at the City Ground, and Forest’s support for their owner was staunch.

Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side had to put the events of the past week behind them as they travelled to face West Ham in desperate need of a victory, but Awoniyi was still in their thoughts at the London Stadium.

Evangelos Marinakis, Nottingham Forest
Credit: Imago

Nottingham Forest make Awoniyi gesture v West Ham

Forest went into their clash at West Ham with their Champions League qualification hopes in dire straits, and just one win in their last six matches to fall from a lofty third to seventh in the Premier League table.

Gibbs-White got the Reds off to the perfect start in East London with a goal 11 minutes into the contest, after Irons keeper Alphonse Areola gifted a pass straight to Nicolas Dominguez on the edge of his own box.

The Manchester City-linked midfielder duly did the rest to put Forest 1-0 up, and celebrated by holding up an ‘Awoniyi 9’ shirt to the away end in solidarity with his injured team-mate, sparking further delight.

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Forest’s players had already worn Awoniyi-themed t-shirts in their warm-up as a tribute to the Nigerian striker, and Nikola Milenkovic’s eventual winner in the 61st minute capped off an emotional victory.

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi in action.
Credit: Getty Images

Nottingham Forest fans react to ‘poignant’ Awoniyi tribute

Forest players, staff and supporters have certainly been through a difficult seven days at the City Ground in the wake of Awoniyi’s injury, with controversy and solidarity aplenty generated from the top-down.

Gibbs-White’s “poignant” celebration received universal praise from fans of the Reds and other clubs on social media, and was labelled as a “touch of class” by some and a “thoughtful” effort from the squad.

Fans of Nigeria’s Super Eagles also dealt their support to the Forest players’ gesture, and one supporter stated that the Tricky Trees were “playing for more than points today” to sum up the emotion of their win.

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