Nigeria international Taiwo Awoniyi has been shortlisted for the Premier League Player of the Matchweek 35 award following a decisive two-goal performance in Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 triumph over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Awoniyi broke the deadlock inside two minutes with a clinical header, then added a second goal after the interval to seal the three points for Forest. The display carried additional personal significance — it marked his 100th appearance for the club. It was also his first start of 2026, having spent a prolonged period on the sidelines through injury.
The Premier League confirmed the seven-man shortlist via its official channels on 5 May 2026, with Awoniyi competing against a field that includes Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka, and Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, who plays for the same club as Gyokeres. Also nominated are Thierno Barry, Jeremy Doku, and Conor Gallagher.
Mainoo’s inclusion stems from a dramatic late winning goal for Manchester United against Liverpool, while Saka contributed a goal and an assist as Arsenal dismantled Fulham 3-0. The breadth of the shortlist reflects a high-scoring and eventful Matchweek 35 across the division.
For Nottingham Forest, the victory at Stamford Bridge carried significant weight in the context of their Premier League survival push. The result meaningfully improved their position in the lower half of the table at a critical stage of the season, with only a handful of fixtures remaining.
Awoniyi’s return to the starting lineup proved timely for Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo. The 27-year-old, who joined the club permanently from Union Berlin in 2022, has been one of Forest’s most influential forwards during their return to the top flight, though injuries have disrupted his availability throughout the current campaign.
The Player of the Matchweek award is determined by public vote through the Premier League’s official platforms, with fans able to cast their ballots following the conclusion of each round of fixtures. Awoniyi’s nomination places him alongside some of the division’s most prominent performers at a moment when Forest’s season hangs in the balance.
