Keane under fire as Tykes run riot at Portman Road
Roy Keane endured a miserable afternoon as Barnsley romped to a comfortable
npower Championship win at Portman Road.
Keane's Ipswich side were poor in midweek as they suffered a home defeat
at the hands of Derby and they were again picked off with ease by a visiting
side as Mark Robins led his side to three valuable points.
Winger Goran Lovre opened the scoring before a Marton Fulop own goal doubled
the lead before the break.
Garry O'Connor wrapped up the win with a simple finish to leave the home
fans far from happy with Keane.
The former Manchester United captain was the subject of derisory chants all
afternoon from the home crowd, who ended the game ironically cheering every
Barnsley pass.
They were given a crumb of comfort when defender Tommy Smith headed in late
on but the Tractor Boys were well beaten on the day.
The home side were without several players and Grant Leadbitter's suspension
saw on-loan Jack Colback moved into the centre of midfield.
The youngster made his mark instantly with a cynical challenge on Lovre which
saw him booked inside three minutes.
The Tykes then launched a rapid counter attack and played dangerman Adam
Hammill into space, but Mark Kennedy recovered sharply to make a fine tackle.
Barnsley were controlling large spells of possession but the home side came
close to opening the scoring when Tamas Priskin fired in a shot from the edge
of the area but Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele tipped the ball on to the
bar.
It was unlucky for the hosts but they could have few complaints when Lovre
put the Tykes ahead in the 21st minute.
The influential Hammill carried the ball forward and dug out a deep cross
to the far post. Jim O'Brien timed his run well to head the ball back across
the face of goal to leave Lovre with the simple task of volleying into the
net from six yards.
The Portman Road crowd were growing restless and were incensed moments later
when O'Connor waltzed through a statuesque backline and should have doubled
the lead but dragged his shot wide.
However Hammill soon found his range again as it was 2-0 in the 27th minute.
He unleashed a powerful shot from 25 yards which struck the foot of the post
and cannoned into Fulop's back before nestling in the back of the net.
It was unfortunate for the Hungarian goalkeeper and his compatriot Priskin
was also unlucky before the break when his shot flew wide. Keane was being
urged to 'sort it out' by the home support and he made two changes at the
break, introducing youngsters Luke Hyam and Ronan Murray in a bid to win back
the battle in midfield.
But any hope of a comeback was extinguished within five minutes of the restart
when O'Connor made it 3-0. Lovre took advantage of some slack marking to break
clear on the left wing before supplying a low ball into the goalmouth which
the on-loan Birmingham man steered inside the near post.
Barnsley were again passing the ball with ease and the home crowd lightened
the mood by cheering each successful ball. Smith at least ensured some good
news for Keane when he responded in the 80th minute with a powerful header
from a Carlos Edwards corner.
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