Berahino follows apology with goal in exciting Albion win
REUTERS - West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino followed up his apology to the fans with a splendid goal as they rebounded from last weekend's shock FA Cup exit to hold off a spirited comeback from Connor Wickham-inspired Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Berahino netted his first league goal since October, just 24 hours after his public apology over a controversial tweet saying he would never again play for chairman Jeremy Peace following Albion's rejection of transfer bids for him in January.
The striker's handsome volley on the half-hour came after two early goals from Craig Gardner and Craig Dawson as Albion threatened to run riot with a three-goal lead at halftime.
Yet Wickham took advantage of slack defending to narrow the deficit just after the break and then smashed home a thunderous volley 10 minutes from time as Albion were forced to hold on in a thrilling contest at The Hawthorns.
After being hit by a coin thrown by his own fans following Albion's fifth-round Cup defeat to second-tier Reading, Chris Brunt's week got worse when he went off on a stretcher with an apparent knee injury after a tussle for the ball with Wilfried Zaha.
(Reporting by Ian Chadband; editing by Ken Ferris)