Nottingham Forest scored the first and last goal on Friday night as Steve Cooper’s squad earned their first league victory of the new campaign.
Chris Wood’s 89th minute winner helped Forest defeat visiting Sheffield United 2-1 at The City Ground on Friday, handing American goalkeeper Matt Turner his first-career EPL win. Turner, who arrived at Nottingham Forest two weeks ago from Arsenal, made two key saves to contribute in the result.
Taiwo Awoniyi broke the deadlock for the hosts in the third minute by heading home Serge Aurier’s cross for a 1-0 lead. It marked Awoniyi’s eighth league goal in his last six appearances for the club.
Gustavo Hamer equalized for the Blades in the 48th minute as the former Coventry City man scored on his club debut.
However, Chris Wood came off the bench and scored the eventual winning goal just five minutes later off an Aurier cross. Turner denied Benie Traore earlier in the half with the teams level at 1-1.
“Matt’s made a brilliant save, he’s done what we know he can do and that’s make that save in that situation,” Cooper said postmatch about Turner’s save at that moment of the match.
After making his club debut last week against his former club Arsenal, Turner got to celebrate with the Nottingham Forest faithful at the final whistle. It was a monumental moment for Turner, who was a former undrafted player in MLS out of Fairfield University.
Nottingham Forest will next visit Manchester City on Matchday 3.