Fan Report: Birmingham City 2-1 Sunderland

With the two pacy and fully fit strikers available for the first time Alex started with the 4-4-2 formation that the fans have so desired. The pace and endeavour of Jerome coupled with the speed and trickery of Chucho discomforted the Sunderland back line all afternoon. The Blues have not done this all season and ordinary defenders, let alone those of top class, have enjoyed easy times indeed.

Today though Blues had a cutting edge and coupled with a determination ran Sunderland ragged for 75 minutes. Chucho should have opened his account when put through by Jerome on the left. The Ecuadorian’s effort was high and wild. A better effort was well saved by Gordon. Chucho then set up Mcfadden in the six yard box but Ferdinand blocked the shot with a dramatic last ditch tackle. Mcfadden had been asked by the boss to show more responsibility and the Scot responded with a virtuoso performance. He was up and down the pitch all afternoon helping out defensively and was at the centre of all Blues good moves.

Blues went ahead 7 minutes before half time when Larsson’s excellent free kick was brushed past Gordon with a delicate Ridgewell shin. This was Blues first, first-half goal of the season.

Blues doubled their lead three minutes into the second half when Jerome back healed a Larsson pass to Mcfadden. James Mcfadden now oozing confidence sold the Sunderland defence an exquisite dummy and side footed the ball into the corner of the net. 

Blues looked full of confidence and goals and Chucho continued to harry the visitors and twice should have netted. One shot went just wide and another blocked on the line. Sunderland looked well beaten by now and Bruce did a ‘Barry Fry’ and threw on three subs on 68 minutes. Campbell, Zenden and McCartney replaced Malbranque, Cana, and Henderson. This certainly lifted the visitors who began to get some more possession in Blues territory. 

McLeish was looking to see out the last nine minutes as he sent on McSheffrey and O’Connor to rest Mcfadden and Jerome.  The plan went horribly wrong when a free kick was punted into the box and Joe Hart came out of goal flapping and Turner beat him to it flicking the ball goalwards. Scott Dann made a valiant effort to clear but could only force the ball over the line. Blues were now under the cosh and Mcleish sent on Carsley for Larsson to protect the tiring back four.

Campbell and Jones both had chances to steal a point which would have been unjust to say the least. One of the desperate clearances set Chucho free once more and as he bore down on the visitors goal Gordon came out of his box and handled. Had he not done so Chucho would have had a walk in on goal. The obligatory red card somehow failed to materialise. That proved to be the last action and Blues held on to the points.

This was probably Blues best display under McLeish’s management and a massively important win. The new Boss, ‘Kid Carson’ and his posse celebrated in the director’s box with an ecstatic display of joy. That was something we never saw with the old guard 

Blues: Joe Hart, Stephen Carr, Lee Bowyer, Liam Ridgewell, Seb Larsson (Lee Carsley 82), Cameron Jerome (Gary McSheffrey, 76), Christian Benitez, Barry Ferguson, Roger Johnson, Scott Dann, James McFadden (Garry O’Connor, 76).

Subs not used: Maik Taylor, Kevin Phillips, Franck Queudrue, Stuart Parnaby.

Bookings: Johnson (24), Ferguson (81), McSheffrey (90)

Goals: Ridgewell (38), McFadden (48)

Sunderland: Craig Gordon, Phillip Bardsley, Michael Turner, Anton Ferdinand, Steed Malbranque (Frazier Campbell 68), Kieran Richardson, Darren Bent, Jordan Henderson (George McCartney 68), Kenwyne Jones, Lorik Cana (Bolo Zenden 68), Andy Reid.

Subs not used: Martin Fulop, Nyron Nosworthy, Paulo Da Silva, David Healy. 

Bookings: Gordon (90 + 3)

By Alan Watton

What is your view on this story? Have your say below - You DON'T need to register in order to post your comment