Rowett so chuffed to see Saido on target
SAIDO BERAHINO, once dubbed the striker who had forgotten how to score, is rediscovering his mojo.
The smile was back on Berahino’s face after his fifth goal of the season sent Stoke into the Christmas programme on a 10-match unbeaten run.
It was a telling contribution, which earned the £12million forward a standing ovation from fans and a pat on the back from his manager.
Gary Rowett said: “I never thought he would outjump two Millwall centre-halves.
“It‘s one thing playing well but what we needed to see is goals so I’m pleased he got one – and he deserved it.
“It is a win, a clean sheet, yet we know we can perform better. But I’m kind of getting to the point where if I’m saying this every game, I will be happily disappointed until the end of the season.”
It would be fair to assume, given Millwall’s inability to win away this season, that the Londoners are poor on their travels – but not here.
It took nearly an hour of toil, not to mention a half-time chorus of boos for the Potters, before their resistance was broken.
Tom Ince scampered down the right, swung in a cross and there was Berahino in space to head home.
Until that point, the best chance of the afternoon had come within a whisker of being a spectacular own goal.
Skipper Ryan Shawcross owes team-mate Jack Butland after the keeper’s instinctive save prevented the defender’s sliced clearance finding the net early on.
It turned out to be the highlight of the first 60 minutes.
For the Lions, Jake Cooper should have hit the target with a header from Shane Ferguson’s corner, there was a penalty appeal for a Bruno Martins Indi foul on Lee Gregory and Steve Morison saw an effort go wide.
Millwall boss Neil Harris said: “It was a strong performance and we should have got something.
“We should have had a penalty. Lee does not take his eye off the ball and the defender goes into the back of him.”