Saido Berahino put United stars in shade says Craig Gardner

Gardner reckons home-grown Baggies star Berahino was more impressive than Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao in Monday's 2-2 Hawthorns draw with United.

And he says the 21-year-old, who netted his seventh goal of the season against the Red Devils, has become more than just a goalscorer.

"His all-round game since I've been here has improved so much," said Gardner. "He's been brilliant. When Saido went through, I just thought '2-1'. I was never in doubt because I see him day in, day out. If he keeps his feet on the floor, he'll make a good career.

"He can free people up around him now, he can hold the ball up, get in behind defenders and he has a natural goalscoring instinct where he can get in positions where you see people like Falcao and Wayne Rooney.

"His record speaks for itself."

Van Persie failed to find the net on Monday while Falcao did not threaten as a second-half substitute.

Asked whether Berahino had outshone the pair, Gardner said: "I think so. He's my team-mate so yeah he did!

"And he scored. Strikers are there to score goals and he scored and they didn't.

"He's only 21 though so he has got a great career ahead of him.

"And we are helping him. We are putting the chances on a plate for him. If it's not Saido it could be someone else.

"As long as the team keeps scoring it doesn't matter who is. Saido won't get too big for his boots because we won't let him."

A point against United meant Albion have been beaten just once in their last four games.

And Gardner said: "Credit to the gaffer and the way he's got us playing. If we continue to work and play like that we'll have a good season.

"If we had lost we would have been hanging ourselves. After the way we played, we deserved something out of the game.

"We were unlucky not to get the three points because we worked extremely hard."