Ridgewell´s late strike frustrates Tottenham

January 31, 2010


Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell frustrated Tottenham’s push for the Champions League as his last-gasp equaliser earned a 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s on Saturday.

Jermain Defoe looked to have consolidated Tottenham’s position in fourth place with a 69th-minute strike — his first Premier League goal of 2010.

But Birmingham avoided a second successive defeat when defender Ridgewell stole in at the far post to volley home in the last minute.

The draw left Tottenham just one point ahead of Liverpool as the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League hots up.

The only consolation for Harry Redknapp is the confirmation that defender Younes Kaboul will re-sign from Portsmouth in a five million pounds (5.8 million euros) deal that could save his former club from slipping into administration.

Birmingham’s recent form has been so impressive that Alex McLeish’s players, furious at losing for the first time in 16 games, reportedly confronted each other in the Stamford Bridge visitors’ dressing room in the aftermath of their 3-0 loss at Chelsea on Wednesday.

However, far from damaging the tremendous spirit that has made Birmingham a revelation this season, that defeat did not appear to have affected McLeish’s players.

Lee Bowyer almost gave the home side a fourth-minute lead when he was teed up by James McFadden but he shot straight at Heurelho Gomes.

Christian Benitez, the Ecuador international striker, bamboozled Michael Dawson on the edge of the area before sending a tame shot right into the arms of Tottenham’s keeper.

There was no Roman Pavyluchenko in the Spurs team for this encounter, with Birmingham’s second bid of nine million pounds for the Russian international reportedly having been turned down by Redknapp.

But David Bentley remained in the team after his impressive performance, and goal, against Fulham.

And the midfielder produced Spurs’ first genuine chance in the 34th minute when he cut inside and drove in a shot that was clawed around the post by Joe Hart.

Bentley also came close to shattering the boredom of a tedious game early in the second half when Gareth Bale’s cross eluded the Birmingham defence to find the England international, but his shot was kept out by Hart.

Spurs somehow failed to take the lead in the 57th minute. Defoe danced past a hesitant home defence and lost balance as he prepared to shoot, the ball rolling into the path of Peter Crouch who inexplicably placed his shot wide.

It did galvanise the visitors, however, and they forced a succession of corners as they battled for the opener.

And they finally secured the goal their steady pressure deserved when an unmarked Defoe lashed in Bale’s cross in the 69th minute.

Yet Birmingham pushed desperately for an equaliser and finally earned it through Ridgewell’s finish from Cameron Jerome’s flick.

BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP)

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Ridgewell´s late strike frustrates Tottenham

January 30, 2010


Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell frustrated Tottenham’s push for the Champions League as his last-gasp equaliser earned a 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s on Saturday.

Jermain Defoe looked to have consolidated Tottenham’s position in fourth place with a 69th-minute strike — his first Premier League goal of 2010.

But Birmingham avoided a second successive defeat when defender Ridgewell stole in at the far post to volley home in the last minute.

The draw left Tottenham just one point ahead of Liverpool as the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League hots up.

The only consolation for Harry Redknapp is the confirmation that defender Younes Kaboul will re-sign from Portsmouth in a five million pounds (5.8 million euros) deal that could save his former club from slipping into administration.

Birmingham’s recent form has been so impressive that Alex McLeish’s players, furious at losing for the first time in 16 games, reportedly confronted each other in the Stamford Bridge visitors’ dressing room in the aftermath of their 3-0 loss at Chelsea on Wednesday.

However, far from damaging the tremendous spirit that has made Birmingham a revelation this season, that defeat did not appear to have affected McLeish’s players.

Lee Bowyer almost gave the home side a fourth-minute lead when he was teed up by James McFadden but he shot straight at Heurelho Gomes.

Christian Benitez, the Ecuador international striker, bamboozled Michael Dawson on the edge of the area before sending a tame shot right into the arms of Tottenham’s keeper.

There was no Roman Pavyluchenko in the Spurs team for this encounter, with Birmingham’s second bid of nine million pounds for the Russian international reportedly having been turned down by Redknapp.

But David Bentley remained in the team after his impressive performance, and goal, against Fulham.

And the midfielder produced Spurs’ first genuine chance in the 34th minute when he cut inside and drove in a shot that was clawed around the post by Joe Hart.

Bentley also came close to shattering the boredom of a tedious game early in the second half when Gareth Bale’s cross eluded the Birmingham defence to find the England international, but his shot was kept out by Hart.

Spurs somehow failed to take the lead in the 57th minute. Defoe danced past a hesitant home defence and lost balance as he prepared to shoot, the ball rolling into the path of Peter Crouch who inexplicably placed his shot wide.

It did galvanise the visitors, however, and they forced a succession of corners as they battled for the opener.

And they finally secured the goal their steady pressure deserved when an unmarked Defoe lashed in Bale’s cross in the 69th minute.

Yet Birmingham pushed desperately for an equaliser and finally earned it through Ridgewell’s finish from Cameron Jerome’s flick.

BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP)

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Michel to get time to settle at Birmingham

January 12, 2010


Miguel Marcos Michel, the Spanish midfielder who has become Birmingham’s first signing since Carson Yeung’s takeover of the club, will not be rushed into Premier League action, Blues boss Alex McLeish has signalled.

Michel, 24, who completed a three-million-pound transfer from Sporting Gijon on Monday, faces a battle to establish himself in a midfield in which experienced pair Barry Ferguson and Lee Bowyer have been outstanding in Birmingham’s 13-match unbeaten run.

And McLeish believes his newest recruit will need time to settle into English life and football.

“Sometimes it’s not easy for a player, especially coming from a foreign country, to come in and hit the ground running,” the former Scotland boss said.

“He’ll need time to get to know his team-mates and see the sort of demands we ask from players in training.

“We can also see if we can add a wee bit to his game and improve him all round as a player.

“But the bonus is that, because we’re doing so well, he has got additional time to settle.”

McLeish first attempted to sign Michel before the start of the season and he was relieved that Yeung’s financial backing finally made the deal possible.

“I’m very pleased he’s signed as I’ve been tracking him for over a year,” the Scot added. “I’ve added a player who is unfazed in taking the ball in any company.

“He’s played at the Bernabeu and the Nou Camp and has acquitted himself well, so he’s a technical player who can definitely strengthen the squad.

“He has good quality, is only 24, has got good legs and is a player for now but also the future.”

Stoke have agreed to loan former captain Andy Griffin to Championship club Reading until the end of the season. Griffin, 30, has made only three appearances for Stoke this season, all of them in the League Cup.

“There is a lot of competition for places in the squad and Andy is obviously desperate to play first team football,” said Potters boss Tony Pulis. “A move to Reading is a great opportunity for him to go out and play regularly in the Championship.”

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill meanwhile has assured Nicky Shorey, the former England full-back who is thriving on loan at Nottingham Forest, that he is not planning to off-load him permanently.

O’Neill said: “Selling Nicky is not something that I am looking to do at this minute and nothing concrete has developed. If there was an offer, I would sit down with Nicky and his agent to discuss it but I am not actively seeking (to sell him).”

Shorey was loaned to Forest after losing his place in the Villa line-up to summer signing Stephen Warnock but O’Neill believes the defender may yet live up to his early promise.

“I think going forward he has done very well and if he tightens up his game defensively, he has loads to offer,” the Villa manager added.

LONDON (AFP)

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Five-star Birmingham keep on climbing

December 16, 2009


A Cameron Jerome double gave Birmingham a 2-1 win over Blackburn as Alec McLeish’s side claimed a fifth consecutive win in the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history on Tuesday.

Ryan Nelsen ensured a nervy finish for Birmingham but McLeish’s men held out for three points that lifted them to sixth place in the table.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce restored Jason Roberts and Nikola Kalinic to his side at the expense of fellow strikers Franco Di Santo and Benni McCarthy, while El-Hadji Diouf and Morten Gamst Pedersen replaced the injured Vince Grella and David Hoilett.

McLeish kept faith with the side that had beaten West Ham at the weekend, which meant former Scotland captain Barry Ferguson lining up against the club where he suffered a serious knee injury during a previous spell in the English top flight.

It was another Scot, James McFadden, however who was at the origin of Birmingham’s opener. The winger played a short corner to Sebastian Larsson whose cross was headed goalwards by Christian Benitez before Jerome scrambled it over the line.

Birmingham immediately looked significantly more confident and Lee Bowyer only just failed to get on the end of a through ball from Benitez after good build-up work.

Benitez was denied a goal of his own by a marginal offside decision and Blackburn were weakened by the loss of Australia’s Brett Emerton to injury shortly afterwards.

Kalinic might have equalised three minutes before the interval after Birmingham failed to deal with a hopeful punt in the box but he mis-kicked at close range.

Blackburn were made to pay for that missed opportunity three minutes into the seocnd half, when Jerome doubled their lead.

Larsson’s overhead pass sent Carr on an overlap and he picked out Jerome with a precise cutback, the striker driving a low shot beyond Paul Robinson in the Blackburn goal.

It was the 50th league goal of Jerome’s career and his celebrations were sufficiently jubilant to earn him a yellow card.

Allardyce reacted by replacing Diouf with Junior Hoilett after 53 minutes and Blackburn gained a lifeline with just over 20 minutes left when Pascal Chimbonda got on the end of Pedersen’s inswinging free-kick.

The defender forced Joe Hart into a fine save but Nelsen was on hand to bundle the ball home.

Blackburn huffed and puffed but it was the home side who came closest to adding to their score in the closing stages, Benitez hitting the bar from close range after Robinson had parried a Jerome shot.

BIRMINGHAM (AFP)

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Birmingham come back to beat Wigan

December 5, 2009


Birmingham City stretched their unbeaten run in the Premier League to six games by coming from a goal behind to beat Wigan Athletic 3-2 at the DW Stadium here on Saturday.

Charles N’Zogbia’s 33rd minute curler put Wigan in front before three goals in 11 minutes after the half hour mark, two free-kicks from Sebastian Larsson separated by Christian Benitez’s effort, saw Birmingham in front.

Wigan substitute Jordi Gomez pulled a goal back with a late free-kick but it was not enough to deny the Blues all three points.

The Latics dominated the opening 45 minutes and deservedly went ahead when Jason Scotland’s cut-back found N’Zogbia and the Frenchman curled the ball high into the top corner.

By that stage Wigan had already seen goalkeeper Chris Kirkland go off with a back injury and replacement Mike Pollitt made a fine save to deny Benitez.

Birmingham though were level when Larsson’s free-kick from deep on the left evaded everyone in a crowded penalty area and somehow crept past Pollitt.

But there was no denying the quality of his second free-kick goal, a sharply curling strike from just outside the box that left Pollitt helpless.

By then Birmingham were already in front after Ecuador international Benitez latched onto Lee Bowyer’s pass, beat Titus Bramble and fired past Pollitt.

Wigan substitute Gomez’s 88th minute free-kick gave the home side hope of a draw but Birmingham held out.

WIGAN, England (AFP)

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Early bird Bowyer deepens Wolves woe

November 30, 2009


Alex McLeish paid tribute to veteran Premier League midfielder Lee Bowyer for his match-winning role in an important victory over local rivals Wolves that keeps Birmingham City on course for top flight survival.

Bowyer, a free signing from West Ham in the summer after he spent the second half of last season helping City win promotion from the Championship, claimed the game’s only goal with a superb finish after just three minutes.

McLeish paid tribute to the role played by the club’s former owner David Sullivan in the signing and clearly feels that after the 32-year-old’s career appeared to be in terminal decline due to injuries and controversies on and off the field, Bowyer still has an important role to play in keeping his club in the top division.

“Bowyer’s goal was amazing,” said McLeish. “There were a few people who criticised signing him last season.

“A lot of people were suggesting that his legs had gone. But he is answering that. He has five goals already and he is like the Bowyer of old. He has matured and he controls himself much better these days. His goals are a bonus.

“(Former owner) David Sullivan was always obsessed with midfield players scoring goals. Whenever I mentioned anyone to him he would always ask about the number of goals they score. Bowyer gets goals. We thought he would be good for us in the Championship, but he is getting back to his days when he was at Leeds.

“Five goals is an unbelievable return at this stage. But I never had any doubt about him like others did. I did my due diligence and knew that he is the right type. The biggest concern about players when they get older is do they still have the legs and he still has the legs.

“David Sullivan trusted me and we got it right. To get him on a free transfer was a great bit of business.”

Bowyer’s goal means that Birmingham have won three of their last five games, a run which also includes draws against Manchester City and Liverpool, and the victory, against a dishevelled Wolves side, was far easier than the scoreline suggested.

“It was not painless for me watching, it even looked painless for the players out there,” claimed McLeish. “But I thought it was a terrific performance. It was a fantastic performance from all the players. We were awesome from start to finish. We passed it well. We showed great composure and our defending was magnificent.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy, meanwhile, has now seen his team play eight Premier League games without a victory but, after four-goal defeats by Chelsea and Arsenal in successive games, this was a far more worrying result for the former Ireland manager.

“It is a hugely disappointing experience. It was certainly not the way I was intending it,” he said. “I never expected us to play as poorly as that in the first half. We did not compete like we normally do.

“Today is worrying. I am not worried about losing to Arsenal and Chelsea. That was expected. But we were playing Birmingham at home and we were expecting to win and we did not.

“Birmingham deserved their win. They were better than us. We did not start the game very well and it was hard after that. It was about character after that and it was hard.

“I can’t lay the defeat at the door of losing to Chelsea. Getting beaten by Chelsea is not the issue. We are at home against Birmingham and we needed a performance and we did not get one.

“Losing 1-0 at home to Birmingham is always hard to take and bound to give me some discomfort – whether we have been brilliant or not.”

Wolves now face a home game with fellow strugglers Bolton on Saturday that could define both clubs’ seasons.

WOLVERHAMPTON, England (AFP)

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Wenger slams Ridgewell over Walcott injury

October 18, 2009


Arsene Wenger has slammed Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell for the tackle which left Arsenal winger Theo Walcott nursing a potentially serious knee injury.

Walcott was forced off before half-time in the Gunners’ 3-1 win over City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday following a hefty tackle from Ridgewell.

The England international was left in a crumpled heap after the defender crashed into him, winning the ball but also crunching into the back of his legs.

Walcott played on for another 20 minutes before being withdrawn and will undergo a scan on Sunday to determine the extent of the injury.

Wenger has ruled out the possibility of cruciate ligament damage but fears Walcott might have twisted his medial ligaments, which would rule him out of Tuesday’s Champions League game with AZ Alkmaar and could leave him facing several weeks on the sidelines.

“He has a bruised knee and it’s swollen,” Wenger said. “It’s difficult to assess and know whether it is a twisted medial ligament or just a kick. He said he was unstable when he was running which is not good news.

“We will assess on Sunday morning when he will have a scan – if it’s just a kick then he should he available for Tuesday, if it’s a twist then he won’t be. I believe, personally, he will not be available for Tuesday, at least.

“It was a cut-through tackle, without any restriction. It was meant to impress. It looked quick and hard from outside – I don’t know if he didn’t want to play the ball.”

The incident was a grim echo of the last occasion these sides met, when Arsenal striker Eduardo suffered a compound fracture of his leg following a tackle by Martin Taylor.

That said, the implications for Walcott should not be nearly as severe as they were for the Croatia striker, and Birmingham manager Alex McLeish was justified in pointing out that the referee, Lee Probert, did not even see fit to award a free-kick for Ridgewell’s tackle.

Arsenal’s sensitivities were doubtless heightened by the memory of what happened after that infamous meeting with Birmingham in 2008, when their title challenge imploded.

But Wenger was understandably heartened by his side stretching their winning streak to seven games in all competitions.

The north Londoners were in control from the 16th minute, Robin van Persie collecting Alex Song’s pass and whipping a shot into the far corner, and when Abou Diaby doubled the advantage moments later, Birmingham appeared set for a long day.

But they were handed an unexpected lifeline when Vito Mannone, the young Italian goalkeeper, inexplicably flapped at a high ball and Lee Bowyer volleyed in.

Wenger was unimpressed with both that error, hinting afterwards that Manuel Almunia could win back his starting place against Alkmaar.

The killer blow was finally applied in the 84th minute, when Andrey Arshavin curled in a low shot following a swift counter-attack.

“We were cruising and in control at two goals,” he said. “We were wondering who would score the third but we started making mistakes. We didn’t have the same fluency, control or pace in the second half.”

McLeish issued a warning to his own side after this latest defeat, suggesting that they could be running out of chances to impress before the opening of the winter transfer window.

“We need to find that cutting edge and we are looking for our match winners to play consistently well,” said the Scot, who is expected to be handed 40 million pounds to spend by City’s new owner Carson Yeung.

LONDON (AFP)

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Coyle rates Birmingham defeat above United shock

October 4, 2009

Owen Coyle has hailed Burnley’s 2-1 win over Birmingham as a more important result than his side’s shock 1-0 defeat of Manchester United.

The Premier League newcomers made it four wins out of four at Turf Moor thanks to goals from Steven Fletcher and Andre Bikey, with Sebastian Larsson’s consolation effort for Birmingham coming right at the death.

Coyle said the encounter with Alex McLeish’s side was exactly the kind of match Burnley had to win if they are to preserve their hard-won top flight status.

“Birmingham are one of the teams who are going to be in our group,” Coyle said. “We are not getting carried away, we know exactly where we are and where we expect to be.

“That is why, for me, it was the biggest result of the season. If we can pick up points from the teams round about us that will serve us well for the duration.

“The result against United was fantastic but I really believed we had to answer up after a heavy defeat at Spurs last week. By retaining our 100 percent record at home, hopefully it sends out a message to people that Turf Moor is not an easy place to come.”

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish lambasted his players for giving up once they had fallen behind.

“It was a second half to forget after they scored,” the former Scotland boss complained. “Up to then I thought it was anyone’s game and the first goal was going to be important.

“We didn’t react to the goal, we lost the way we have reacted in previous games and that was disappointing. After that it was a poor performance.”

Lee Bowyer missed a great chance to put Blues ahead six minutes from the break when he failed to finish in front of an open net after Roger Johnson had dragged a shot across the goalmouth.

Fletcher made Birmingham pay for that miss just before the hour mark with a shot that on-loan goalkeeper Joe Hart should have saved.

Cameroon defender Bikey then added a second after playing a one-two with David Nugent and Larsson’s stoppage-time freekick came too late to offer any chance of a comeback.

BURNLEY, England (AFP)

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Lee´s late strike lifts the pressure on Bolton boss Megson

September 26, 2009


South Korea midfielder Lee Chung-Yong eased the pressure on under-fire Bolton manager Gary Megson as his late goal secured a 2-1 win at Birmingham on Saturday.

Lee came on as a second-half substitute for his fifth Bolton appearance since his move from FC Seoul in August and made a dramatic impact.

Tamir Cohen’s first-half strike had given Bolton the lead but Birmingham looked to have rescued a draw through Kevin Phillips’ 84th minute goal.

However, Lee, 21, had the last word as his first Premier League strike stole the points and gave Megson just his second league win of the season.

The beleaguered Wanderers manager saw his team get off to the perfect start with the type of goal which established Bolton reputation as a Premier League nuisance.

Full-back Sam Ricketts launched a throw into the danger area which veteran striker Kevin Davies flicked into the path of Israel midfielder Cohen, who headed past Joe Hart to register his third goal in four league games.

City nearly found a way back into the match after French winger Gregory Vignal whipped in a dangerous cross but the on-rushing midfielder Teemu Tainio lashed a fierce effort inches wide of the post.

The visitors received a huge let-off five minutes before half-time when City’s clever free-kick caught the defence cold, leaving Irish midfielder Keith Fahey in space.

The former Arsenal trainee took a touch before unleashing a fierce shot but the ball ricocheted off the crossbar and away to safety.

Referee Steve Bennett infuriated the home fans moments before the break when he waved away appeals for a penalty after Lee Bowyer went down under pressure in the area.

Wanderers were finally breached six minutes from time when former England forward Phillips played a slick one-two with Christian Benitez before planting an unstoppable strike into the bottom corner.

Home cheers were soon silenced though as Lee kept his cool to claim all three points for the visitors.

Matt Taylor whipped in a free-kick which bounced off a post and fell at the feet of the South Korean.

Birmingham defenders desperately launched themselves towards the ball, but the midfielder dummied back inside before walking the ball into the net.

BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP)

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O´Connor ends Birmingham´s away-day blues

September 19, 2009


Garry O’Connor ended Birmingham’s away-day blues as his late goal clinched a 1-0 win against Hull on Saturday.

Alex McLeish’s side had lost their first two away fixtures since winning promotion back to the Premier League, but Scotland striker O’Connor ensured a happy journey back to St Andrews when he came off the bench to snatch the only goal of a hard-fought game at the KC Stadium.

It was no more than Birmingham deserved after the visitors forced Hull keeper Boaz Myhill to make a series of fine stops.

Blues boss McLeish handed Ecuador striker Christian Benitez his first Premier League start as the Scot tried to breathe life into his shot-shy attack.

Former Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink made his debut for Hull but it was Tigers winger Stephen Hunt who was the hosts’ biggest influence in the early stages.

He brought Joe Hart into action for the first time with a long-range shot that the Birmingham keeper parried to safety.

But the visitors enjoyed a period of dominance after that. Benitez turned smartly and shot, but Myhill saved low down.

Myhill was called into action again twice in quick succession as he kept out Barry Ferguson’s flick and then tipped over a fierce drive from Lee Bowyer.

Hull came back as Seyi Olofinjana made a powerful run into the box and squared across goal but Scott Dann slid in and forced Jozy Altidore to scuff his shot.

Benitez, sporting a bandage after a clash of heads with Kamil Zayatte, created another opportunity on the stroke of half-time and Myhill had to tip his shot over.

Altidore tested Hart with a fierce shot but he was equal to that effort and then turned away Geovanni’s strike moments later.

Myhill then produced an excellent stop from Bowyer after Roger Johnson knocked down Gary McSheffrey’s corner.

Benitez troubled Hull with his pace and burst away from Andy Dawson before Myhill pushed his shot away for a corner.

From the resulting set-piece, Keith Fahey’s delivery was perfect and found O’Connor, who came on for McSheffrey just after the hour, unmarked to head home at the near post.

Hull appealed for a penalty after Hunt went down under a challenge from Dann but referee Phil Dowd gave nothing, then Olofinjana headed against the bar in a dramatic finale.

HULL (AFP)

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