Video: Pulis reacts to West Brom rout

West Brom boss Tony Pulis played down suggestions star striker Saido Berahino is unhappy at the Hawthorns despite not celebrating any of his four goals.

The Baggies forward ran riot, as the Pulis era began with a 7-0 home thumping of non-league Gateshead in the FA Cup third round this afternoon.

But Berahino's subdued reactions to each of his strikes left fans suspecting the 21-year-old has one foot out of the door in this month's transfer window, with Liverpool and Tottenham both linked.

Pulis said: "Someone told me didn't celebrate at all. It was lovely to see all the lads go over when we scored a goal, as that showed the unity that we'll need.

"You should see him in the dressing room, he's happy in there. I hope he keeps reading the headlines if he scores four every week. There is always going to be transfer speculation and you can see why.

"He has great pace, great balance and scores goals. But, when I came in here, the chairman had not received any offer for him and we will try our damnedest to try and improve him."

Pulis took a seat in the director's box, where he spent the draw at West Ham, but was soon pitch side today, with Albion struggling along in the early stages.

He said: "I had no intentions of going down. It took me only 15 minutes! We started very apprehensive and they shouldn't be like that but they were against West Ham, too, especially in the final third.

"They have to eradicate that and play with confidence and belief."

Pulis also paid tribute to Gary Mills' plucky Heed, whose fans sang their hearts out until the final whistle despite the damaging nature of the scoreline.

He said: "Gateshead played really well in the first 20-25 minutes and were a credit to their league. Their supporters and manager should be very proud of how they played."

(Video courtesy of West Brom FC)

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