'Nice celebration' - England legend hails Gibbs-White for honouring hospitalised teammate Awoniyi

England's Lionesses legend Karen Carney has praised Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White for his heartfelt tribute to teammate Taiwo Awoniyi during Forest's 2-1 victory over West Ham United in the Premier League.

Gibbs-White opened the scoring in the 11th minute after capitalising on a catastrophic error by Hammers goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, who moments earlier had denied the Nottingham Forest playmaker with a superb save. 

Following his goal, Gibbs-White lifted a shirt dedicated to Awoniyi, who remains in recovery after a serious abdominal injury.

The Nigeria international was placed in an induced coma earlier last week after suffering a ruptured bowel during the Premier League clash with Leicester City. 

The incident occurred when Awoniyi collided with the goalpost headfirst, after coming off the bench. 

He was admitted to hospital on Monday and underwent two emergency surgeries before being brought out of the coma on Wednesday.

Gibbs-White's gesture drew admiration, with Carney, speaking on Premier League Productions during halftime, commending him for the goal and the compassion shown in the celebration.

"It's a shocking decision from the goalkeeper," Carney noted. 

"Like Stuart said there, Gibbs-White isn't going to miss. And a nice celebration for Awoniyi — hopefully he's on the recovery as well."

Forest doubled their advantage just past the hour mark as Nikola Milenkovic headed home following a lengthy VAR check, which eventually confirmed the goal, before Jarrod Bowen pulled one back at minute 86.

With 65 points, Nottingham Forest sit seventh in the Premier League table — level with sixth-placed Manchester City and just one point behind Aston Villa, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: nottinghamforest.co.uk

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