Struggling Saido must box clever

STOKE SOUTHAMPTON

PETER CROUCH is convinced Saido Berahino will rediscover his goal touch. All he has to do is get in the penalty area more.

Berahino missed a penalty but his replacement, veteran striker Crouch, 36, popped up with Stoke’s late winner.

It was the former West Brom striker’s fourth consecutive penalty miss and he has now gone 32 matches since his last goal, on February 27, 2016 – 583 days ago.

Crouch went 18 games without scoring after signing for Liverpool in July 2005, so he has some sympathy with Berahino’s plight.

“I actually remember grabbing the ball off Steven Gerrard to take a penalty against Portsmouth and missing it,” said Crouch. “When I first signed for Liverpool, I was doing what Rafa Benitez asked – he wanted me a bit more withdrawn.

“But I was used to playing right up there as the last man and getting on the end of things. So I started getting in the box more. It’s not rocket science – the more you get in the box, the more opportunities you have.

“Saido’s a box player and will score goals. He’s good enough to work things out.”

Mame Diouf glanced Stoke ahead from Xherdan Shaqiri’s corner in the 40th minute before Berahino’s spot-kick miss three minutes later. Maya Yoshida volleyed the equaliser in the 75th minute, before Crouch tapped home from Eric Maxim ChoupoMoting’s falling shot.

Berahino wrestled Shaqiri out of the way to take the penalty after he was fouled by Virgil van Dijk. “Shaqiri wanted to kill me – I had to fight him to take it,” said Berahino. “Of course I’d take another one but I don’t want to be greedy. I’ve been brought here to score goals and I believe I can.”

Saints skipper Steven Davis believes Van Dijk is fully committed to the club again after his first start since January following his dispute over his on-off move to Liverpool.

Davis said: “Of course he has put it behind him. He’s going to do his all for the club now.”

STOKE (3-4-3): Goals: SOUTHAMPTON (4-5-1): Booked: NEXT UP: Referee: Booked: NEXT UP: