Super Eagles defender Ola Aina produced a standout display to earn his first Premier League Player of the Match award in Nottingham Forest’s 0–0 draw with Fulham.
The Nigerian fullback delivered a commanding defensive performance, finishing with four tackles, four duels won and 10 clearances, including five headed clearances.
Aina also registered three recoveries and one interception during the match, while coming close to scoring when his effort struck the woodwork.
Ola Aina/Snapchat
One of his most decisive contributions came when he cleared Rodrigo Muniz’s goal-bound effort off the line with a headed clearance.
The 29-year-old later confirmed the milestone on Snapchat, posting a picture holding the award with the caption “1st ever one.”
The recognition marks a strong comeback for Aina, who earlier in the season missed nearly four months through a hamstring injury that also ruled him out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Photo Credit: Imago
Since returning, he has made 16 appearances for Nottingham Forest.
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Elsewhere in the match, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey played the full 90 minutes for Fulham, while Samuel Chukwueze appeared as a substitute. Taiwo Awoniyi also came off the bench for Forest.
The result lifted Forest out of the relegation zone, while Fulham remain 11th in the table with 41 points.
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Forest now turn their attention to the UEFA Europa League, where they face FC Midtjylland in the second leg of their round-of-16 tie after losing the first leg 1–0.
