Daryl Dike double keeps Barnsley on course toward promotion playoffs
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Apr 5, 2021
The 20-year-old American scored two more goals to give Barnsley a 2-1 win at Luton Town that solidified the Tykes' place in the English Championship promotion playoffs.
Dike could have registered his first hat trick with Barnsley, but he missed a penalty kick in the 83rd minute -- the rebound of his penalty kick was blocked -- and Luton Town raced down the other end and scored to make it 2-1.
Dike, who remains on loan from Orlando City, has scored seven goals in 13 games since arriving in February.
Barnsley has won 10 of the 13 games to climb into fifth place, two points ahead of sixth-place Reading and three ahead of seventh-place Bournemouth. The win followed Barnsley's worst spell since Dike arrived: a loss to relegation candidate Sheffield Wednesday and tie with Reading.
The top two teams win automatic promotion -- Norwich City and Watford are all but assured of going up -- while the next four teams -- currently Brentford, Swansea City, Barnsley and Reading -- advance to a playoff to determine the third team to move into the Premier League.
Bournemouth and Swansea City each has a game in hand; Brentford has two extra games.
The Orlando Sentinel reported that Orlando City wants for $20 million for Dike. Barnsley has never paid more than $2.5 million for a player and will likely not be able to afford to acquire Dike even if it goes up.
Barnsley has not paid mych because they virtually never been a Premier League team. That may change if elevated considering the TV Money they would receive.