Potters’ Bera merry Xmas
SAIDO BERAHINO, once dubbed the striker who had forgotten how to score, is rediscovering his mojo.
The smile was back on his 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 (right) said: “I never thought he’d outjump two Millwall centre-halves. It‘s one thing playing well, but what we needed to see a little bit is goals, so I’m pleased he got the goal, he deserves it.
“It is a win, a clean sheet, but we know we can perform better. 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 an away match this season, that the Londoners are liable to do a decent impression of a doormat on their travels. Not here.
It took nearly an hour of toil, not to mention a halftime chorus of boos for the Potters, before Millwall’s resistance was broken.
Tom Ince scampered down the right, swung in the first meaningful cross of the afternoon 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 in the opening minutes.
It turned out to be the highlight of the first 60 minutes. Erik Pieters scudded a long-range effort wide, James Mcclean’s effort was blocked and Joe Allen saw a shot cleared.
A glance at the League table shows the different challenges facing these teams, yet there was little to choose between the sides.
Jake Cooper should have been on target with a header from Shane Ferguson’s corner, there was a penalty appeal for a Martins Indi foul on Lee Gregory and sub Steve Morison saw an effort dribble wide.
Millwall boss Neil Harris said: “It was a strong performance and we should have got something from the game. It was a penalty. I have watched from two different angles, Lee does not take his eye off the ball and the defender (Martins Indi) goes into the back of him.”