Taiwo Awoniyi scored his second consecutive brace for Nottingham Forest to help them secure a valuable point at the Stamford Bridge in their 2-2 draw against Chelsea on Saturday but the Super Eagles striker insists it is unfortunate not to get the maximum points.

The draw sees Forest increase their chances of retaining their Premier League status at the end of the season as they go three points above the drop zone with two crucial games against Arsenal at the City Ground and their final league outing against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Awoniyi leaped the highest against Thiago Silva, Benoît Badiashile and the onrushing Édouard Mendy to head home the opener for Forest in the 13th minute against the run of play. Raheem Sterling got the equaliser for Frank Lampard’s side in the 51st minute before giving the hosts the lead with a beautiful strike in the 58th minute. 

Awoniyi once again pounced on Chelsea’s defensive gaffe, also beating the offside flag to head home the equaliser in the 62nd minute as the visitors held on for a draw at the Bridge. 

The Nigeria international who made way for Johnson in the 81st minute says although he is delighted with his performance and the goals, it is unfortunate they couldn’t beat the Blues to claim the maximum points. 

“It was a good game. Obviously we know how good they are as a team and we came here with the spirit and togetherness and we had a plan and it worked. Unfortunately we didn’t get the three points,” Awoniyi told the Premier League after the game. 

The brace takes Awoniyi’s goals tally of the season to eight from 25 games as he sits on the club’s joint top scorer log alongside Brennan Johnson who has played 10 games more than the Nigerian.