Barnsley turned in arguably their best performance of the season in front of the SKY cameras to see of table-topping Luton Town 3-1 at Kenilworth Road. In all honesty it could have been 7 or 8 as Antony Kay saw a header hit the post, Nicky Wroe missed a sitter, Michael Chopra missed a penalty and Chris Shuker saw an effort well saved by ex Red Marlon Beresford.
Even the loyalist Reds fan would have been hoping Barnsley would just try and not lose more than 4-0 before the game started and the way Luton shot out of the blocks a big score looked on the cards. Scott Flinders making a superb reaction stop on his line from a Steve Howard header after just 5 minutes. But then the Reds ran riot.
A short corner interchange between Burns and McPhail - who had an excellent game and finally looked the playmaker of the team- saw Macca swing in a cross that the returning Kay headed past Beresford but against the post.
Nicky Wroe somehow missed a peach of a chance before the Reds took the lead after 33 minutes.
Chopra looked marginally offside when he collected a Johnson nod down his effort was well blocked by Beresford but Shuker rammed in the rebound.
Reds fan would have been ecstatic at 1-0 and just waited for the Luton equaliser.
Another goal promptly arrived four minutes later but astonishingly it went to the Reds Chopra did extremely well to hold up the ball before laying it off to Shuker. The diminutive star smacked a shot against the legs of Davies and the ball flew into the corner. Unbelievable stuff.
But it got even better just five minutes later as Chopra wriggled off the challenge of Davies who was really having a bad day and Chops smashed the ball past Beresford.
3-0 at halftime pinch me please.
The Reds should have ADDED to that tally though in the second half Chopra’s persistence seeing him brought down by Coyne. Coyne was the last man so had to go. and then when Chopra was brought down by Leary in the box a stupid argument broke out between Shuker and Chopra as to who was taking the pen. Chopra finally did but produced a weak effort easily saved by Beresford.
These incidents came after Showunmi had turned well to fire past Flinders after 67 minutes.
Shuker later saw an effort well saved by Beresford and Flinders produced an equally good stop at the other end but the Reds deserved this victory just a pity its come too late yet again.
Reds Ratings:
Scott Flinders. Produced two excellent saves one in each half and looked comfortable with crosses. What a prospect this lad is. 7
Dale Tonge. Again gave his all looked solid. 6
Bobby Hassell. Again tremendous at the heart of the defence. Growing in confidence with every game. 8
Antony Kay. Returned to the side after suspension and again looked solid was a bit unnerved with high balls but very unlucky with header that hit post. 7
Tom Williams. back at left back and while not as good as against MK Dons he did look fairly comfortable. Hobbled off near end though. Subbed
Nicky Wroe. Missed an absolute sitter but as always gave 100% still looks a weak link though. 5
Stephen McPhail. Gave one of his all too rare excellent performances finally looked the playmaker he was signed to be. Wore the armband with pride and was at the heart of Barnsley’s attacking ventures. Pity he’s not like it every game. 8
Jacob Burns. Quieter than usual but didn’t put a foot wrong. Booked. 6
Chris Shuker. scored two albeit one which will probably go down as an own goal denied an hat-trick first by Chopra's insistence to take the penalty and then by the legs of Beresford. Deserves the new contract he craves. 8
Michael Chopra. looked premiership class today maybe slightly offside in build up to first goal but his neat play to set up second and score third was breathtaking. Will be extremely disappointed with penalty miss. 8
Simon Johnson. burst around looking for the ball but at times ran into dead ends still looks a good prospect though. 7
Subs: Daniel Nardiello (for Johnson 75) will have been very disappointed not to start 6
Robbie Williams ( for Tom Williams 79) replaced the injured Tom Williams and helped the Reds see out the game. 6
Man Of The Match I’m going to give it to the whole team today everybody was outstanding.