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Birmingham triumphs over West Bromwich Albion
Birmingham, Mar 22: Birmingham edged rivals West Bromwich Albion a step closer to the drop with a late win at St Andrews. Geoff Horsfield scored four minutes into injury time to steal the three points and hand West Brom a fifth defeat in a row.
Birmingham, Mar 22: Birmingham edged rivals West Bromwich Albion a step closer to the drop with a late win at St Andrews. Geoff Horsfield scored four minutes into injury time to steal the three points and hand West Brom a fifth defeat in a row.
West Brom manager Gary Megson predicted before the game that it would not be pretty and he was spot on. It was hardly surprising given the importance of the match, with the Midlands rivals deep in the relegation mire.
Birmingham went into the game on the back of eight defeats in 11 games, while the Baggies had lost four in a row in the league. The Blues made the most positive start and Larus Sigurdsson did well to clear a dangerous cross from recalled midfielder Paul Devlin.
The first chance fell to Stephen Clemence who should have done better than volley over from 12 yards after a deep cross from Jeff Kenna. Birmingham enjoyed much of the play in the opening period but were unable to seriously threaten the Baggies' goal.
Albion's defender Ronnie Wallwork almost helped them out when he sliced his attempted clearance straight at Russell Hoult following a low centre by Damien Johnson. Dichio rose highest to get his head to a Jason Koumas corner but it looped over the bar.
Christophe Dugarry did well to set up strike partner Clinton Morrison, but from a good position he scuffed his shot and failed to test Hoult. Ifeanyi Udeze came close to scoring when he popped up at the back post to slam the ball into the side netting.
The two sides showed more urgency after the break but there was a lack of quality up front. West Brom forward Jason Roberts headed against the bar and Koumas was denied by a fine save from Ian Bennett.
At the other end Dugarry had numerous chances to open his account for the Blues. He was denied with a free header by a fine save from Hoult and when he eventually beat the keeper his shot was cleared off the line by Neil Clement. Birmingham looked to have missed their opportunity to take all three points before substitute Horsfield headed home from close range.
The defeat sees the Baggies eight points adrift of safety and time looks to be running out on their hopes of escaping the drop.
Birmingham: Bennett, Kenna, Cunningham, Upson, Clapham, Damien Johnson, Savage, Clemence, Morrison, Devlin, Dugarry. Subs: Marriott, Horsfield, John, Michael Johnson, Carter.
West Brom: Hoult, Clement, Wallwork, Gregan, Sigurdsson, Balis, Udeze, McInnes, Koumas, Roberts, Dichio. Subs: Hughes, Dobie, Lyttle, James Chambers, Murphy.
Referee: P Durkin (Dorset).
Bureau Report
West Brom manager Gary Megson predicted before the game that it would not be pretty and he was spot on. It was hardly surprising given the importance of the match, with the Midlands rivals deep in the relegation mire.
Birmingham went into the game on the back of eight defeats in 11 games, while the Baggies had lost four in a row in the league. The Blues made the most positive start and Larus Sigurdsson did well to clear a dangerous cross from recalled midfielder Paul Devlin.
The first chance fell to Stephen Clemence who should have done better than volley over from 12 yards after a deep cross from Jeff Kenna. Birmingham enjoyed much of the play in the opening period but were unable to seriously threaten the Baggies' goal.
Albion's defender Ronnie Wallwork almost helped them out when he sliced his attempted clearance straight at Russell Hoult following a low centre by Damien Johnson. Dichio rose highest to get his head to a Jason Koumas corner but it looped over the bar.
Christophe Dugarry did well to set up strike partner Clinton Morrison, but from a good position he scuffed his shot and failed to test Hoult. Ifeanyi Udeze came close to scoring when he popped up at the back post to slam the ball into the side netting.
The two sides showed more urgency after the break but there was a lack of quality up front. West Brom forward Jason Roberts headed against the bar and Koumas was denied by a fine save from Ian Bennett.
At the other end Dugarry had numerous chances to open his account for the Blues. He was denied with a free header by a fine save from Hoult and when he eventually beat the keeper his shot was cleared off the line by Neil Clement. Birmingham looked to have missed their opportunity to take all three points before substitute Horsfield headed home from close range.
The defeat sees the Baggies eight points adrift of safety and time looks to be running out on their hopes of escaping the drop.
Birmingham: Bennett, Kenna, Cunningham, Upson, Clapham, Damien Johnson, Savage, Clemence, Morrison, Devlin, Dugarry. Subs: Marriott, Horsfield, John, Michael Johnson, Carter.
West Brom: Hoult, Clement, Wallwork, Gregan, Sigurdsson, Balis, Udeze, McInnes, Koumas, Roberts, Dichio. Subs: Hughes, Dobie, Lyttle, James Chambers, Murphy.
Referee: P Durkin (Dorset).
Bureau Report