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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Captaincy not on the cards for Gunnarsson

July 11, 2009

Coventry City player Aron Einar Gunnarsson has removed himself as a potential candidate to take up the armband after Scott Dann’s departure to Birmingham.

The armband is up for grabs at the Ricoh Arena, however Chris Coleman is refusing to name the defender’s successor until later in pre-season.

Forward Clinton Morrison is one of the frontrunners for the position, but Iceland international Gunnarsson, last season’s player of the year, has insisted that he does not want the role, for the time being at least.

The 20-year-old told the Coventry Telegraph: “I am not sure if I could handle the armband if I was asked because I am only young. I know Scott was only 21 or 22 but it is not for me. Not yet.”

Gunnarsson, who is known for his long throws, is also keen to pen an improved contract with the Sky Blues which was earmarked following his impressive displays last season.

He added: “I hope as soon as possible the management and chairman will sort us out because we did well and there are teams after us, so we deserve an upgrade on our contracts.”

“Nothing has happened yet and I haven’t been offered anything, I am sat here waiting to sign. But I hope they will come with an offer soon because I am happy to sign an extension of my contract. I am really happy here.”

By: Abhimanyu Rajput

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Ecuadorean star completes move to Birmingham

July 8, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Ecuadorean international striker Christian Benitez became newly-promoted English Premier League side Birmingham City’s record signing on Tuesday when he completed a move for a reported 8million pounds.

The 23-year-old’s move had been held up because a medical suggested he had a knee problem so City reduced their initial offer to Mexican side Santos Laguna of 9million pounds to the fee agreed on Tuesday.

“It is the right time for me to make this move,” Benitez was quoted on the club’s website.

“I am looking forward to playing for the Blues.

“I will be giving everything to score as many goals as possible and share good times with this club.”

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish said that their new signing was a real coup for the club.

“Christian is a tremendous prospect who has lit up the South American international scene,” said the former Rangers and Scotland manager.

“The signing is really exciting for everyone at the club and I’m really looking forward to working with him. I look forward to seeing him in a Blues jersey.”

Benitez becomes McLeish’s sixth signing of the close season while there are rumours that he is also keen on bringing in two of the more controversial midfielders in English football – Lee Bowyer and Joey Barton.

Bowyer is expected to sign on a free transfer later in the week from West Ham after a successful loan spell last season while Barton is effectively persona non grata at relegated Premier League side Newcastle United.

McLeish’s other signings have been former Ireland international Stephen Carr, Scott Dann, Roger Johnson, England Under-21 goalkeeper Joe Hart – a season-long loanee from Manchester City – and Giovanny Espinoza.

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Bowyer set to play for Blues

July 8, 2009

English midfielder Lee Bowyer, could become Birmingham City’s latest and seventh signing of the summer.

The former Leeds United player is set to join the Blues from West Ham on a free transfer, following a successful loan spell at St Andrew’s during the second half of last season.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has focused in bringing veterans to his central field after blooding in new players up front and in defence.

With the manager impressed by the player’s impact in helping to City return to thePremier League at the first attempt, the move couldn’t have been far away and McLeish confirmed the player’s allegiance to the City’s cause.

McLeish confirmed: “I don’t know if the Is and Ts have been formally dotted and crossed but Lee has pledged his allegiance to Birmingham.”

“He will become a permanent Birmingham player and a worthy addition to our squad. He did well for us last season.”

While Bowyer has been involved in his fair share of controversy during his career but his experience would be invaluable in helping Birmingham’s bid to become established in the top flight.

Stephen Carr, Scott Dann, Roger Johnson, Joe Hart, Giovanny Espinoza and record signing Christian Benitez have all joined Blues during the close season.

And McLeish intimated he has been promised further backing by the board.

He said: “I have several names in mind for the crucial midfield positions.”

“I know what I am looking for in the team and the board have pledged their support to back me in this.”

By: Abhimanyu Rajput

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Samba late show denies Coventry

February 14, 2009

BLACKBURN, England (AFP) – Christopher Samba’s stoppage time equaliser denied Coventry an FA Cup fifth round upset as Blackburn lived to fight another day after a 2-2 draw at Ewood Park.

Second-half goals from Aron Gunnarsson and Michael Doyle saw Coventry take charge of the contest after Roque Santa Cruz’s early strike for the home side, but they were left frustrated right at the death.

The Championship side had knocked Rovers out with a 4-1 victory in the third round at Ewood Park last season but their chances of a repeat appeared slim when Santa Cruz fired in with less then 90 seconds gone.

Gunnarsson equalised just after the hour and with a quarter of an hour remaining, Doyle’s deflected strike put Coventry ahead.

But two minutes into injury time at the end, Samba rescued a replay for Blackburn with a close-range effort after Coventry goalkeeper Andy Marshall failed to hold Keith Treacy’s shot.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce made six changes to the side beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa last weekend with South African star Benni McCarthy left on the bench.

But Rovers still managed to move ahead with just a minute and a half on the clock with Santa Cruz’s powerful drive.

Paul Robinson’s long punt into the area saw Samba challenge James McPake in the air and the ball fell for Santa Cruz, who fired home from a tight angle to claim his first goal since the 3-1 win over Liverpool at the start of December.

The visitors almost got back on level terms quickly when Daniel Fox’s raking pass picked out Jordan Henderson but the on-loan Sunderland winger dragged his shot wide.

Jason Roberts should have doubled the lead when he lobbed Santa Cruz’s flick-on over Isaac Osbourne only to screw his shot wide from six yards.

Carlos Villaneuva curled just wide from distance and David Dunn also had a drilled effort held by Marshall as Blackburn continued to dominate.

Just after the half hour, the un-marked Gunnarsson managed to head well wide from five yards from Fox’s free-kick.

Villaneuva had a drilled shot held by Marshall and then the Chilean crossed for Santa Cruz, who hit the side-netting.

And as Blackburn looked to finish the game before the interval, Dunn slipped the ball to Santa Cruz and the striker came up with a thumping drive that just missed the target.

Two minutes after the restart, Villaneuva’s deflected free-kick was just pushed around the post by Marshall while at the other end, Freddy Eastwood’s shot was deflected into the path of Henderson, who sliced wide.

But just after the hour, the Championship side were level when Fox’s corner was only half cleared and Gunnarsson’s powerful strike beat Robinson from more than 20 yards.

Blackburn were reeling and Gunnarrsson looked on his way to scoring again after beating three players but substitute Scott Dann foiled his chances of unleashing a decent shot.

With 14 minutes left Coventry took the lead when Doyle raced on to Eastwood’s header and his stab at goal deflected off Samba and looped over Robinson.

Allardyce threw McCarthy on and the forward had a goal ruled out for offside before Blackburn’s late pressure finally told.

Written by: AFP