Battling Tykes deal a late blow to Baggies
Halme Krovinovic
BARNSLEY contiuned their revival under new boss Gerhard Struber thanks to Aapo Halme’s last-gasp leveller to stun tabletoppers West Brom.
It was fully deserved by the Tykes, who had dominated the match for long periods despite falling behind to Filip Krovinovic’s early strike (right).
Barnsley laid siege to the Albion goal for much of the first half but could not find a way past Sam Johnstone. The West
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Struber said: “West BPrLoPmLPwLiPcLhP: 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 MOTM this PLPLPPLPLLPP kind of ( performance. ?????????? )
“We have the right quality, the right character and we just need a bit more experience.”
Although these sides are at opposite ends of the table, both were in good form coming into the festive fixtures. And although Albion extend their unbeaten run to 17 games, the club’s best sequence in over a century, they will be kicking themselves for their late slip.
Boss Slaven Bilic made four changes with Krovinovic handed a start and he fired his side ahead after just five minutes.
It was a real gift from Barnsley goalkeeper Samuel Sahin-Radlinger.
The midfielder pounced on a poor clearance and calmly fired the ball back in from distance.
Despite the early setback, it was Barnsley who created the lion’s share of first-half opportunities.
Johnstone was in great form, spreading himself to deny Cauley Woodrow as the forward burst into the Baggies’ box from the left flank. The rebound fell kindly for the in-form Conor Chaplin, who saw his shot blocked.
Johnstone was at full stretch to stop Jacob Brown’s volley.
And when Barnsley finally got past Johnstone, with a Mads Andersen header, they were frustrated by the woodwork.
After the break, Luke Thomas cut in from Barnsley’s right wing and his curling shot forced a flying Johnstone into another save. But Halme made no mistake from close range in the 90th minute.
Bilic said: “Of course we are disappointed because of the time we conceded the goal. They have a good recent record and 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.”
BARNSLEY:
WEST BROM:
MOTM
SAM JOHNSTONE (WBA)
Ref: Tony Harrington Att: 17,049