Watto’s Report: Birmingham City 2-1 Burnley

This was supposed to be a celebration of all that’s good about the Blues season. What we saw was a very familiar score line. Blues cannot win by more than one goal and a 2-0 lead which should have been extended to six or seven ended up being halved when Blues’ virtual reserve defence got itself in a mess and conceded late on.

Blues to be fair tried very hard to be expansive and passed the ball with authority but Blues can never seem to find the right killer pass to finish off the approach work. They owed their lead to Burnley’s defensive frailties after Jerome (twice) and Bowyer had missed from 5 yards they finally broke the deadlock from less than 18 inches. Bowyer flicked on a near post header from Larsson’s cross and Jerome forced the ball in off his chest lying on the floor via the giant Jensen’s legs.

Blue’s increased that lead when McFadden’s free kick found Johnson on the far post and the header found Chucho six inches from goal and he chested the ball into the net. Although well worked it was as though no Burnley defenders were actually on the pitch! Still it was Chucho’s first St Andrew’s goal in what may or may not be his last appearance.

Having missed an earlier chance when hesitancy allowed the Burnley defence to block the shot, in the second half he looked a threat and ran the Burnley defence ragged but in front of goal he still lacks something. He was clear on the edge of the box with a clear sight of goal and his shot was wide and weak. He was twelve yards out and controlled the ball superbly only to go back and eventually fail to shoot when he had started out with an open goal.

He did create what was the most exciting point in the match when after leaving two Burnley defenders in his wake chipped a cross to Larson who was unmarked as he volleyed just wide. It would have been the goal of many seasons had it found the target but sadly it was not to be. Bowyer had a couple of chances but Jensen was barely tested.

Blues then gave up their usual consolation goal when Thompson looking well off side broke and beat Hart. Maybe Vignal was playing him on but it was disappointing not to win by two for the first time.

The last moments saw Lee Carsley come on to say good bye to the Bluenose Nation and on behalf of those fans Lee deserves a big thank you for what he has done for us. Lee will be a good manager I am sure and there will be plenty of teams ready to use him before his playing days are over.

Blues: Joe Hart, Lee Bowyer, Liam Ridgewell, Seb Larsson, Cameron Jerome (Lee Carsley, 90), Chucho, Barry Ferguson, Roger Johnson, James McFadden (Michel, 67), Stuart Parnaby (Keith Fahey, 79).Subs not used: Maik Taylor, David Murphy, Teemu Tainio, Nathan Redmond.

Bookings: Parnaby (56), Vignal (66)

Goals: Jensen (og, 29), Chucho (41)

Clarets: Brian Jensen, Graham Alexander (Kevin McDonald, 85), Steven Caldwell, Steven Fletcher (Steven Thompson, 68), Martin Paterson, Wade Elliot, Tyrone Mears, Leon Cort, David Nugent (Robbie Blake, 65), Danny Fox, Jack Cork.Subs not used: Nicky Weaver, Michael Duff, Jay Rodriguez, Andre Bikey.

Bookings: Fox (51)

Goals: Thompson (87)

Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)

Attendance: 24, 578

By Alan Watton

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