Awoniyi in attendance as Nottingham Forest miss out on UCL after loss to Tosin's Chelsea

Taiwo Awoniyi was present at the City Ground on Sunday as Nottingham Forest narrowly missed out on a UEFA Champions League place following a 1-0 defeat to Tosin Adarabioyo's Chelsea on the final day of the 2024–25 Premier League season.

Despite favorable results elsewhere — with Newcastle United stunned by Everton and Aston Villa falling to Manchester United — Forest’s hopes were dashed by a solitary strike from Levi Colwill, who tapped into an empty net five minutes after the interval.

The result left Forest in seventh place with 65 points, one adrift of the final Champions League spot.

Before kickoff, Awoniyi was given a warm reception as he made his first public appearance at the City Ground since sustaining a life-threatening injury.

The 27-year-old striker was welcomed onto the pitch with a standing ovation from the home crowd.

Awoniyi had suffered a ruptured intestine following a heavy collision with the goalpost during a Premier League clash against Leicester City on May 11, an incident that led to him being placed in an induced coma.

The Nigerian forward featured in 32 matches across all competitions this season, contributing two goals in 815 minutes of action before his injury cut his campaign short.

Despite the disappointment on the final day, it was a season to remember for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side.

The two-time European champions are set to return to continental football for the first time in 30 years, securing a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League after a remarkable campaign.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: nottinghamforest.co.uk

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