Barnsley completed the perfect comeback today, having been 2-0 down at home to Burton Albion by the 34th minute. David McGoldrick sealed the victory during stoppage time.
Burton Albion looked ready to face the Yorkshire side, despite Conor Hourihane’s first Barnsley win dispatching Plymouth Argyle 3-1 in the opening weekend. Charlie Webster scored two thunderous goals for the Brewers but was kept quiet today alongside his talented, midfield partner Kgaogelo Chauke. Hourihane’s favoured three of Adam Phillips, Luca Connell and Vimal Yoganathan dictated the tempo of the match for the most part, but was unveiled as their usual, serious unit in the second half.
Jake Beesley, from the penalty spot, opened the scoring at Oakwell, before JJ McKiernan and Fabio Tavares linked up, with the latter rounding the keeper before slotting the ball home to double Burton’s advantage early on. Lee Bowyer’s side were able to soak up pressure from the home team for the majority of the first 45 and effectively pressed high.
The second half saw Barnsley outplay the Brewers in every department, dominating the ball for consistent periods. Their entire front line got involved in goal contributions, while Phillips played the most important role in the number ten position. Two assists, including for the winner, saw the 27-year-old cut a ball back to Caylan Vickers in the 56th minute, before the winger looped a strike perfectly into the top-left corner.
A rebounded shot urged Davis Keillor-Dunn to pounce on a loose ball, slotting a right-footed finish past Jordan Amissah – who was outstanding against Mansfield Town. At 2-2, Barnsley fans were feeling optimistic of a winner, with Burton’s supporters left wondering how their fortune had changed so drastically since the first half.
Hourihane’s experienced striker, McGoldrick, tapped a ball into the Burton net late on, with a perfect low-driven cross from Phillips finding the 37-year-old unmarked in the centre.
Writer’s View
Barnsley showed an exceptional level of determination to complete a comeback of three goals without reply. Burton Albion dispatched Mansfield on the opening day and it looked as though Hourihane’s side were the latest to receive that treatment. However, the former Aston Villa midfielder must have given a tremendous team talk to change the course of the match.
Phillips should not be playing at this level, he is a Championship-calibre midfielder. The footballing intelligence to read the game the way he does has massively elevated Barnsley, creating one of the best midfield trios in the league. Jonathan Russell will be a welcomed addition, with the number three now returning from injury. However, Yoganathan compliments the anchoring role of Connell and the attacking prowess of Phillips, giving Hourihane a luxurious predicament.
