Club News

Berahino nets late on to suppress Irvine anger

Irvine admits to first-half disappointment

ALAN Irvine admitted he was forced to read the riot act to this players at half-time - with Albion's claiming a point against Crystal Palace thanks to Saido Berahino's late goal.

The Baggies striker scored from the penalty spot to secure his seventh Barclays Premier League goal of the campaign and ensure a 2-2 draw.

But Irvine was unimpressed with Albion's opening half-hour, claiming that his players did not do what he and his coaching staff had asked of them.

Irvine said: "I was angry in the first half and they did see another side to me (at half-time). It was a reaction that doesn't come out very often but I felt had to.

"We go into every game with a game plan - what we do with the ball, what we do without the ball. With the ball we didnt do what we'd worked on. 

"It took us 32 minutes to do that.

"I was bitterly didappointed for the first 32 minutes of the game. From there we followed the game plan.

"I spoke to the players about the challenge of playing Crystal Palace and we simply didn't go about things the way I expected to.

"You don't want to be falling out with players but sometimes you have to tell them."

Irvine brought on Victor Anichebe at half-time for Stephane Sessegnon.

Anichebe responded with a goal, before winning the penalty that led to Albion's late equaliser.

Irvine continued: "Victor made a difference. We thought we might need him - we spoke about it before the game - and that was the case. 

"He wasn't ready to start the game but he was fresh enough to make an impact and he did. 

"He came on earlier than we planned but it was a case of needs must. He made a difference."