Saido Berahino breaks Stoke duck in win over Huddersfield

Posted Wednesday, August 29, 2018 by PA

Saido Berahino’s first goal for two-and-a-half years and a comical 97th-minute own-goal from Juninho Bacuna helped Stoke shock Premier League Huddersfield 2-0 and advance to the Carabao Cup third round.

The £12million striker had gone 913 days without finding the back of the net, but his 53rd-minute headed finish at the bet365 Stadium ended his goal-drought.

It was also Berahino’s first Stoke goal since joining on a five-and-a-half-year deal in January last year and his first goal in 48 matches.

And how Stoke fans rejoiced as the Potters prevented the Terriers from claiming their first win over them since March 1998.

Winger James McClean rattled the bar with a fierce drive and Berahino was well-placed to head home from close range to break his long-standing hoodoo.

And in the final minute of injury-time debutant Bacuna shanked his attempted clearance and only succeeded in scoring in his own net.

Stoke boss Gary Rowett made four changes to his Championship side ahead of the visit of their higher-ranked opponents Huddersfield.

Keeper Adam Federici, defender Ashley Williams, Congo forward Benik Afobe and midfielder – and captain for the night – Darren Fletcher all started for the Potters.

Town manager David Wagner made five changes to his team following their goalless draw with Cardiff on Saturday.

There were debuts for summer signings Erik Durm and Bacuna, while Danny Williams and Elias Kachunga made their first appearances of the season.

Isaac Mbenza, a substitute in Saturday’s goalless draw with the Bluebirds, made his first start for the visitors.

But it was the hosts who were the brighter starters and whom could have been in front inside a minute.

Match-winner Berahino curled a right-foot shot over the bar after just 53 seconds much to his own frustration.

At the other end Danny Williams rifled a powerful right-foot shot wide of the target.

Republic of Ireland international ace McLean came close to breaking the deadlock with a vicious left-foot strike shortly after the half hour mark, but Danish keeper Jonas Lossl saved well with his legs at his near post.

Berahino had another good chance two minutes before the break, but he blazed over when in a good position.

However, the breakthrough came in the 53rd-minute after some great work from McLean.

His left-foot rocket rattled the bar but Berahino was perfectly placed to nod home.

Montpellier loan midfielder Mbenza had a shot saved by Federici and with four minutes left substitute Chris Lowe shot over.

But the visitors could not even make use of seven minutes of injury time to take the game to penalties.

And to rub salt into their open wound Stoke scored a second goal at the death when Bacuna’s awful clearance left keeper Lossl no chance and flew into his own net to make sure of a deserved win for the home team.