BASSI CALLS THE TUNE FOR TYKES
AMINE Bassi scored twice as Barnsley’s great escape from the clutches of relegation gained further traction, to the delight of boss Poya Asbaghi.
The on-loan Frenchman also claimed an assist for Mads Andersen’s early goal, as the Reds fought off a late Middlesbrough comeback to secure another valuable three points.
Asbaghi said: “I knew it was a tough game against a really good opponent.
“We came in at half-time and talked about not getting too comfortable and to try to go out and play like it is 0-0 and chase the third goal.
“What we did do was work really hard in the end and we tried to protect the lead and we accomplished that. It was a really important and impressive victory by the lads.
“We feel that we have a little bit of momentum, we are playing better football and we are working as a unit much better now than what we did a month ago.
“We have to take advantage of the situation we are in right now, with the confidence we have and take it into Derby.”
Carlton Morris came close for Barnsley early on, striking the ball with his back to goal from outside the box. Joe Lumley could only parry away.
Barnsley took the lead in the eighth minute. A great cross form Bassi found Andersen in the box, who headed the ball into the bottom left corner.
Middlesbrough’s Andraz Sporar had an effort blocked in the six-yard box, following a corner.
But Barnsley doubled their lead in the 16th minute. Morris laid the ball off to Bassi just inside the box, who placed the ball into the bottom corner.
Second-half substitute Folarin Balogun struck a post for Boro, trying to beat Bradley Collins at his near post.
Barnsley went three goals up in the 54th minute with a quick counter-attack. Morris threaded the ball through to Bassi who put the ball past Lumley despite being held back by Anfernee Dijksteel. The visitors won a penalty on the hour mark when Isaiah Jones was brought down in the box.
Andraz Sporar converted the spot-kick, slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Sub Aaron Connolly seemed to have pulled another goal back for Boro with a shot inside the box, but the linesman flagged for offside.
Liam Kitching did pull another goal back for the visitors in added time, after diverting the ball into his own net.
Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder was left to rue a sloppy opening to the pitch from his side.
“The first 15 minutes cost us, the attitude of our back three not getting up the pitch,” he said.
“I thought Carlton Morris dominated our back three, which was disappointing. He set the line of where the game was going to be played.
“We deservedly went into half-time with the score as it was. You have got to give credit to Barnsley in the way they played, but the result was self-inflicted. The goals we are conceding are ridiculous.
“If I was allowed nine subs I would have made five subs at half-time, the back five come off.”