Supersub Varney on target to save Nigel
BATTLING Burton are staying up after Nigel Clough’s men fought for a hard-earned point.
George Moncur put Barnsley in front just before half-time but substitute Luke Varney soon levelled after the restart to ensure the survival of Clough’s troops.
Clough said: “I thought our defending for the last 20 minutes epitomised our fighting spirit all season.
“And with Luke Varney getting his first goal and Stephen Bywater producing saves of that quality after sitting on the bench for 42 games, it shows we have lots of people who can make important contributions.”
The Brewers knew a point would see them in the second tier for a second season.
Moncur saw his early low drive easily saved by Stephen Bywater while Burton’s first chance fell to Jackson Irvine, whose attempted chip failed to beat Adam Davies.
The visitors had a couple of promising openings, firstly when Michael Kightly saw his free-kick deflected wide and then Irvine headed just over from the resulting corner.
Barnsley took the lead in the 38th minute. Ryan Kent and Josh Scowen were the architects before Moncur fired in from inside the area.
In the second half, Barnsley went close to extending their lead when Moncur got a shot on target which was saved by Bywater, as was a follow-up effort by Tom Bradshaw.
Bywater was then called upon to keep out a spectacular overhead kick from Angus MacDonald.
Clough responded by sending on Varney as a replacement for Kightly.
And it proved an inspired move as he soon scored the equaliser, heading in Lasse Vigen Christensen’s corner.
Varney then had a deflected shot saved and tested Davies with another effort.
Kyle McFadzean went close to scoring an own goal when he sliced an attempted clearance from Moncur’s cross narrowly wide.
Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom said: “We wanted to give our fans a win to celebrate in our final home game but the luck wasn’t with us and we also conceded a poor goal.”
The ex-West Brom hitman has not scored for 25 Premier League games after failing to find the net again.
But while Berahino suffered, team-mate and keeper Jack Butland cashed in under the scrutiny of impressed England manager Gareth Southgate after producing a world-class performance.
It was Butland’s first league appearance at home in 413 days after recovering from his serious ankle injury – and it looked as though he had never been away.
Stoke boss Mark Hughes rejoiced in Butland’s high-calibre return – and refused to put the boot into Berahino for another blankety blank in front of goal.
Hughes said: “Jack is a top-class keeper and it’s taken 12 months to get him back. We’re all delighted he’s showing the form prior to the injury.
“It was difficult for Saido but he’s in good nick – he’s dropped five and a half kilos. We’re happy with his attitude and next year is when we will judge him.”
His opposite number Bilic has now seen West Ham claw 39 points from a disappointing season – but he is still not relaxed enough to feel safe.
Bilic said: “We need more points but it may be enough. We’re not panicking. There’s nine points to play for and we need more points. I was pleased with the performance, pleased with the point but there’s a frustration that we didn’t win the game.”
Berahino’s frustrations continued with an early shot blocked by Winston Reid but the best chance fell to Andre Ayew in the 34th minute when Arthur Masuaku picked him out with a pin-point cross.
Ayew launched himself into the air and his brilliant overhead kick was parried by Butland with the West Ham striker touching the Stoke keeper’s glove in recognition of his wonder save.
The biggest talking point of the half centred around Jonathan Calleri who was found expertly by James Collins. He saw his cross blocked and then tried an audacious rabona instead of thumping the ball in with his left boot.
Stoke stepped up a gear with a Joe Allen snap-shot bouncing off Adrian’s knee and then the keeper somehow kept out a Berahino low fizzer with the ball arrowing towards the bottom corner.
Butland responded to chants of “England’s No.1” with an astounding double save, beating away Ayew’s shot and then he stuck out a boot to deny Manuel Lanzini.
Stoke should have gone ahead when Collins boobed with a wayward clearance and clever Xherdan Shaqiri swung over for Marko Arnautovic to attempt to prod home only for Adrian to block.