The manager made eight changes for the West London clash, handing the Nigerian a starting place, and the forward responded with a brace.
Igor Jesus added a first-half penalty to extend Forest’s control, while Matz Sels saved Cole Palmer’s spot-kick in stoppage time to maintain a two-goal advantage at the break.
Awoniyi struck again early in the second half to seal the win, lifting Forest to within six points of the Premier League’s top ten in impressive away performance overall for side.
“It’s an important win, credit to the players, to the coach and the staff. We came here with the mentality of getting three points, which we need, and I’m so pleased that we managed to win,” the former Liverpool player told Forest TV.
“It’s an important win, credit to the players, to the coach and the staff. We came here with the mentality of getting three points, which we need, and I’m so pleased that we managed to win.”