Tykes strike at the death to rock Bilic
ON paper this looked for all the world like another three points for West Bromwich Albion and an extension to their impressive 13-game unbeaten run.
The run continues, but Aapo Halme’s strike deep in added time meant two points dropped for Slaven Bilic’s table-toppers, and a well-deserved draw for Barnsley.
And in truth, Barnsley rarely looked like a side struggling against relegation as they dominated for long periods, with only the outstanding Sam Johnstone in the West Bromwich goal holding them at bay.
Head coach Gerhard Struber said: ‘West Bromwich Albion are what we expected, a very difficult opponent who are leaders of our league but I’m very happy with our team. It was a very good game and we did not look like a relegation team with this kind of performance. We have the right quality, the right character and we just need a bit more experience.’
Struber was able to name an unchanged line-up as his side chased a third straight win.
The visitors arrived knowing that they would stay top if they could extend their unbeaten run to 14 games. Bilic made four changes, bringing in Kieran Gibbs, Charlie Austin, Ahmed Hegazi and Krovinovic.
He was rewarded for his selection within five minutes of kick-off as Filip Krovinovic pounced on a poor Sami Radlinger clearance and calmly fired the ball back over the Barnsley keeper’s head for the opening goal. Despite the early setback it was Barnsley who were creating the better chances during the opening quarter of the match.
Alex Mowatt twice fired wide from promising positions before Cauley Woodrow tested the goalkeeper from range.
Johnstone was in great form, spreading himself to deny Woodrow once more as the forward burst into the visitors’ area from the left flank. The rebound fell kindly for the in-form Conor Chaplin who saw his shot blocked.
Jacob Brown sent a volley arrowing towards the top corner only to see Johnstone dive full length and push it wide.
And when Barnsley finally got past Johnstone, with a Mads Andersen header, they were frustrated by the woodwork.
At the other end Albion were looking dangerous on the break with Austin and Jake Livermore both going close and Radlinger made an excellent save to keep out Hal Robson-Kanu. Both keepers were called into action as the break approached with Austin denied at one end moments before a sprawling Johnstone saved from Chaplin once again.
After the break Luke Thomas cut in from Barnsley’s right wing and let fly with a curling shot that forced a flying Johnstone into another fine save.
A well- worked Albion move ended with sub Kenneth Zohore smashing the ball over the bar while at the other end Woodrow fired straight at Johnstone.
Bilic said: ‘Of course we are disappointed because of the time we conceded the goal.
‘We knew it was going to be hard, they have a good recent record and they are playing well.
‘We rushed our attacks, we got past their press but I expect us to be more clinical.
‘It is a sticky period, I’m not happy with a point but we’ll have to take it.’