From a tweet posted in anger to a goal scored with glee. In the end, a minor touch was all it took for Saido Berahino to reignite his career at West Bromwich Albion and earn a victory of great significance.
Starting his first game since emphatically claiming he would never again wear the club’s blue and white stripes, Berahino made a statement of an altogether different kind at Villa Park..
He deliberately deflected a mundane-looking shot by James Morrison to wrong-foot Brad Guzan and complete his reintegration into the squad.
He celebrated like it was his first Premier League goal, surrounded by team-mates who had previously been irritated by his conduct. At the final whistle he threw his shirt to Albion supporters as they sang his name loudly.
Tony Pulis gave him a hug, Craig Gardner pointed his way and Darren Fletcher jumped onto his shoulders. A single goal to change the atmosphere comprehensively.
The same applies in the opposite direction. Aston Villa fans booed their displeasure, not only at losing to their city rivals, who performed admirably as a unit, but also the timid display from their team.
This was a second Premier League defeat in succession, and manager Tim Sherwood must seriously consider another relegation battle beckons. There is a monumental derby on Tuesday, when Birmingham visit for the first time since 2010 in the Capital One Cup.
‘When you lose derby games patience from fans wears thin,’ said Sherwood.
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