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| Berahino Image Credit: ESPN |
After eight games without a goal, Berahino returned to form with two goals to inflict only a third defeat of the season on the Premier League champions. That took Berahino's tally for the season to 20 in all competitions, with 14 of those coming in the league. It's a stunning contribution for a player in only his second full season at this level in a side that has often struggled to create chances.
Berahino's two goals against Chelsea only served to emphasise the difference he makes to West Brom, and how big a miss he will be if he moves on this summer. The young forward possesses quality and a finishing ability that Albion's other strikers simply don't have. His first goal of the night is typical of the goals he's scored this season.
It was far from a clear-cut chance as Berahino let Joleon Lescott's pass run across his body 20 yards from goal, losing Gary Cahill in the process, before curling a first-time right-footed shot past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. For a lower mid-table side, it is this kind of ability to score a goal from nothing that makes all the difference.
Berahino's ability to fashion his own chances is indicative of a player who is potentially top class. The last time that West Brom had a player capable of doing that was Romelu Lukaku during his loan spell three seasons ago.
Another key attribute for a striker playing for a side like Albion is the ability to score under pressure and Berahino certainly has that. West Brom have had five penalties this season, scoring four of them. The 21-year-old has scored those four goals, the fifth penalty was missed by Graham Dorrans at Hull with Berahino sitting on the bench.
It is all of these qualities that means that the striker's brace against Chelsea may well be his last goals for West Brom at The Hawthorns. He has constantly been linked with a move away to a bigger club, and to put in that kind of performance against the champions will only improve his reputation and lead to more speculation regarding his future. While it may be galling to lose such a talented player, whom the club has developed since a young age, there is simply nothing West Brom can do about it.
Berahino clearly has the talent to play at a higher level, a level that Albion simply can't reach. He has been the biggest contributor, in terms of goals (29 overall), in West Brom's past two seasons and those goals have been crucial to securing the club's Premier League safety.
You can't begrudge him moving to a bigger club on the back of that contribution, what is important is that West Brom replace the goals that they will lose if Berahino leaves. Albion could pick up anywhere between £20 to 30 million for the striker and that has to be re-invested in a couple of strikers. Players who are capable of scoring 14 or more goals between them because current forwards Brown Ideye and Victor Anichebe just won't score enough.
Although Berahino may not be at The Hawthorns next season, Albion's win over Chelsea offers plenty of encouragement and perhaps a glimpse into the style West Brom play next season. After some of the more turgid, backs to the wall performances of the last few weeks, Tony Pulis freed West Brom from their shackles and they excelled.
It was far from all-out attack, but the returns of James Morrison and Callum McManaman meant there was far more pace and direct running in the side. That is exactly the kind of qualities Pulis wants in his side, as it allows for quick counter-attacking football that is exciting to watch when the likes of Morrison and McManaman are running at and beating defenders.
While Pulis will want to add another wide player to his squad, he will not overlook the contribution Chris Brunt has made during West Brom's run-in, both at left back and more recently in his more familiar left midfield role. Brunt is a huge threat from dead-ball situations, but he showed his quality from open play in the 3-0 win.
His reverse ball to Berahino to win the penalty was not only a superb piece of vision, but was also weighted perfectly. He then topped off West Brom's night with a thunderous left-footed strike from the edge of the box that gave Courtois no chance, despite it being at his near post. West Brom may lose Berahino this summer, but there are certainly plenty of signs of encouragement for next season, if Pulis is allowed to invest that money in the squad.
Source: ESPN
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