SHEFF UNITED 0 SOUTHAMPTON 2
TOTTENHAM got lucky with a handball against Fulham in midweek after the Cottagers made the mistake of fielding a player with arms.
Lucky has been a story of Spurs’ season, say expected-goals boffins, though having two curve-busting finishers might be ‘upsetting the algorithm’ - an act which will one day become an imprisonable offence.
Bet Harry Kane (left) at 10/11 (Fred) to score against Palace (7.15pm).
A US missile propelled Barnsley into the record books with a magnificent seventh win in a row.
MLS striker Daryl Dike was only granted a UK work permit as he made his US debut in a 7-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago a day before joining the Tykes on loan from Orlando City.
But he’s proved Yankee doodle handy since making his debut in the FA Cup against Chelsea last month.
That narrow defeat has proved the launchpad for a charge which has seen Barnsley catapult themselves into the thick of the promotion race.
Dike’s great goal on 49 minutes – his third in four – deserves its own place in the club hall of fame.
There looked nothing on when the 20-year-old took a pass from sub Carlton Morris but in a flash, he unleashed a thunderbolt which flew past startled keeper Neil Etheridge into the top corner of his net.
What a pity no fans were there to witness one of the most spectacular goals seen at Oakwell in years. No Barnsley side in history has enjoyed a better win run at this level while coach Valerien Ismael claims he can’t recall seeing a goal quite like Dike’s rocket.
“In 29 years in football, I haven’t seen a strike like that,” he said. “It was unbelievable. I was behind it and when the ball went in, it was a great feeling.
“That’s a big win for us as they made it difficult and we had to stay strong.”
Birmingham are embroiled in a grim fight for survival. Rotherham need win just one out of their three games in hand to send them crashing into the relegation zone.
And boss Aitor Karanka knows his side need to buck up to stay up. “It is impossible to score a goal if you do not shoot on target and we did not have one shot on target,” he moaned. “I don’t know why. It is not as if I tell them not to shoot.”
Blues skipper Harlee Dean had the two best chances of a fiercely fought opening 45 minutes.
On six minutes, the centre-half should have broken the deadlock when he met Gary Gardner’s freekick unmarked but could only steer his header wide of the near post.
Twenty minutes later, Dean was again off target when he met Gardner’s corner unchallenged.
Barnsley struggled to scale the heights of recent weeks and needed a special break to end their opponents’ resistance. And boy did Dike provide it!
BARNSLEY: Collins 6; Andersen 7, Sollsbauer 7 (Sibbick 71, 6), Helik 7; Styles 5 (Williams 45, 6), Palmer 6 (Halme 58, 6), Mowatt 7, Brittain 6; Woodrow 6 (Adeboyejo 88), Dike 8, Frieser 6 (Morris 45, 7).
Unused subs: Walton, Kane, Chaplin, Odijor.
BIRMINGHAM: Etheridge 6; Roberts 6, Dean 7, Friend 6 (Bela 70, 6); Valery 6, Gardner 7, Harper 6 (Leko 84), Sunjic 6, Pedersen 6; Hogan 5 (Cosgrove 84), Jutkiewicz 5 (Sanchez 70, 6). Unused subs: Prieto, Colin, Clayton, Clarke-Salter; Halilovic.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Daryl Dike. You won’t see a harder hit shot all season. REFEREE: Graham Scott 7.
MASON MOUNT can become a Chelsea legend under Thomas Tuchel’s guidance, says Joe Cole.
Ex-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard gave Mount his Blues chance, but Cole reckons the 22-year-old midfielder can reach a higher level under Tuchel.
Former Blues star Cole said: “Tuchel is a top manager for a reason and he’s quickly realised that Mount has been the top performer at Chelsea.
“When Frank was having a difficult time, he was the one player in that squad who stood up.
“I think he’ll be one of the top players in Chelsea’s history if he keeps improving and stays injury-free – I really think he’s that good.”
» Joe Cole was speaking to global sports broadcaster beIN SPORTS