Baroka, Chiefs share spoils
of the season and if it is not good enough we have to take the consequences and maybe one day if we don’t do it, people will enjoy it again to be in there.
“In our job it is like when you have a problem with your engine – you can always find many problems but it’s important to find the most important one.
“The most important one today was we had 77% of possession and didn’t create many chances and we have to focus on that.
“Fans are a bit disappointed and I can completely understand.”
Wenger revealed Sanchez had been substituted with an ankle injury, which will be assessed before the club decide whether to withdraw him from the Chile squad.
Goalkeeper Petr Cech was also forced off before half-time with a calf problem which was to be assessed over the weekend.
West Brom have now won eight of their last 10 home league games and have matched last season’s points tally of 43.
Albion manager Tony Pulis said: “We had a meeting on Monday with the players.
“Although we lost two games, we’ve got to keep our feet on the ground.
“We are what we are and they’ve done fantastically well to achieve the 40 points in the time that we’ve done it. Our output against Everton was as good as any output we’ve achieved this year.
“We know what we are, we know what we’ve got. “We lack certain things. “We could lose the next three games, we’ve still had a fantastic season.
“I understand, you raise the bar and if you don’t reach that again, you and the players are going to get criticism.
“For me, they’ve just been fantastic this year, irrespective of what happens.” — AFP BAROKA FC fought back to hold Kaizer Chiefs to a 2-2 stalemate in an Absa Premiership game at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday night.
The draw sees Bakgaga remain 16th on the league table following the entertaining match, while Amakhosi stay fourth on the standings.
The match got off to an exciting start with both sides having chances at either end and it was Amakhosi who broke the deadlock.
Bernard Parker’s cross found Erick Mathoho inside the Baroka box and the defender scored to make it 1-0 to Chiefs six minutes into the game.
But Chiefs’ lead only lasted for four minutes as Bakgaga levelled matters through Sepana Letsoalo, who scored with a beautiful finish to make it 1-1.
The home side were looking lively after restoring parity against Amakhosi, who were forced to sit back and launch counter-attacks.
Chiefs did regain control of the match after the half-hour mark with Edmore Chirambadare forcing Baroka goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke into a good save with a great cross.
The visitors were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time after Tsepo Masilela was fouled inside the Baroka box by Shaku Dineo Olaleng.
Parker then converted from the spot-kick to ensure that the first half ended with Chiefs leading 2-1.
With their side trailing, the Baroka co-coaches, Milton Dlamini and Kgoloko Thobejane, decided to introduce Mxolisi Kunene after about an hour.
Steve Komphela, the Chiefs coach, responded by introducing Italian striker Gustavo Paez for veteran forward Parker eight minutes later.
However, it was Kunene, who proved to be a super substitute with 10 minutes left on the clock when he restored parity courtesy of a great individual effort.
Both teams launched late attacks in search of a late winner, but ultimately, Baroka and Chiefs had to each settle for a draw and a share of the points on offer. — TMG