Saido Berahino forgiven by West Brom fans, Tony Pulis says

Tony Pulis has praised West Brom supporters for welcoming the return of "naughty child" Saido Berahino.

The England U21 striker threatened to down tools after a move to Tottenham fell through earlier this month, but he was back in the starting line-up for the weekend derby at Aston Villa and responded by scoring the winning goal.

Berahino threw his shirt into the away end after the game, and there was no sign of hostility from the Albion supporters.

"They've been very good and very supportive and the great thing for me is the Saido situation," said Pulis, who will revert to his strongest XI against Everton on Monday Night Football after making wholesale changes for the Capital One Cup defeat to Norwich.

"I think Saido was concerned there might be a little turning of the tide but they were absolutely wonderful when he came on against Southampton and last Saturday against Villa.

"They truly are in love with their football club and they want their football club to do well and Saido is a big part of that now. They have embraced him and brought him back into the fold - that naughty child!

"It's good because it takes the pressure off him. It's the biggest thing for the lads to take the pressure off.

"The reaction of the supporters and players shows there's good unity in the group. What we need to do now is for him to concentrate on playing football which is what he's good at."

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