Barry aiming to ‘put it right’

GARETH BARRY is determined to right the wrongs of West Brom’s dire relegation and extend his Premier League appearance record.

Veteran Barry, above, was in imperious form as skipper at his old club Aston Villa as the Baggies won 2-0 to help keep their aim of automatic promotion alive.

Both sets of fans applauded the former Villa captain, and title winner with Manchester City, when he was substituted late on.

It is a big turnaround for Barry who was a scapegoat in West Brom’s relegation as one of four senior pros fined for borrowing a taxi on a night out in Spain a year ago.

Barry, 37, who won 53 England caps, said: “There was a big part of me that wanted to stay and not just run away after relegation.

“I took responsibility, as well as a lot of other players who have hung around this season. I am working hard, as a lot of the other lads are, to put it right and get us straight back up, which isn’t easy.”

Norwich top the table and Finland striker

Teemu Pukki’s double at UNSELFISH: Pukki could have had a hat-trick struggling Bolton took his season’s tally to 23 league goals as they won 4-0 – and he could have celebrated a hat-trick if he had been greedy. Norwich head coach Daniel Farke blamed himself for allowing Kenny McLean to take the spot-kick saved by former Canary Remi Matthews, the leaders having now missed six of their seven penalties this season. Team-mate Tom Trybull could not hide his admiration for Pukki. He said: “He could have scored a hat-trick but it also showed his character. It is not that he is the guy who wants to shine.” On loan Gary Madine scored twice as Sheffield United moved into second place with a 4-0 win over Reading. And the former Wednesday striker believes he has won the respect of his former rivals’ fans.

“I think the fans here appreciate hard work,” he said. “And if you can top that off with a couple of goals, all the better.”