Match Report
City have come from behind to notch their first win of the season at St Andrews.
Birmingham took an early lead through Nicky Butt, but goals from Joey Barton and Andrew Cole saw City take the three points. It will be a particularly satsifying win for Stuart Pearce’s men, from a goal down away from home and with several players receiving a good deal of stick from the home fans.
The match
The strains of ELO’s “Mr Blue Sky” welcomed the teams onto the pitch with blue skies above, and City were resplendent in their new yellow third kit.
The home crowd were on local boy Vassell’s back from the off, having played for rivals Villa until a few weeks ago.
There was early danger when Pandiani was in the clear, but his volleyed effort went straight at James who parried with ease to concede a corner. Pandiani put his header well over the bar.
But almost straight away City nearly took the lead, Andrew Cole’s bullet header ramming the cross bar and going safe.
However the lively opening to the game continued, and it was the home side who took the lead. Pandiani headed downwards, and it was Nicky Butt who met the knock-down, his well timed volley bouncing over James and high into the corner of the net.
City went straight back into the task of getting into the game, and good work by Vassell down the left saw the ball cross Taylor’s area, but Cunningham was able to clear the danger.
The hosts could have made it two on 13 minutes, when a curling Forssell cross found Pennant on the right of the box, but his left-footed shot bent just round James’ right post.
Musampa was on target a minute later, hitting a smartly-taken left-footed volley straight at Taylor. Andrew Cole was also looking lively, staying on his feet and finding Vassell, who’s attempt at a one-two was thwarted by Cunningham.
But on 20 minutes, City were level and it was Joey Barton who was on target. Andrew Cole put Vassell in inside the area, and although the striker’s shot was charged down by Taylor, Barton was on hand to squeeze the rebound home from three yards. The midfielder went on a celebratory run over the advertising hoardings and was mobbed by his team-mates, who understand what the goal will mean to him after a difficult few weeks.
Birmingham had the most of the next period, throwing balls into the box but either the defence or James were equal to any questions asked. On a rare sortie upfield, the Cole-Vassell combination again worked well, with the senior player’s strength on the ball and the younger’s pace posing the centre of Birmingham’s defence a few problems. Shortly after, Joey Barton fired a volley in from the edge of the area but it was two yards to the left of Taylor’s left-hand post.
On the stroke of half time, Mills went on a barnstorming run out of defence to the edge of the home area, but his powerful shot was deflected wide. Barton prevaricated at the corner flag, and the referee blew for half time before the corner kick could be taken.
Half time - 1:1
No substitutions at half time.
And straight away City took the lead! A swinging Sinclair cross flew across the home defence finding Andrew Cole in space. The striker drilled the ball home first time with his left foot, right in front of the ecstatic travelling fans. Cole is already repaying Pearce’s faith in him, and looks to have the City fans on his side as well.
Cole nearly doubled his tally on 57, firing straight at Taylor from only four yards out. Birmingham went straight down to the other end, and Pandiani’s shot went just wide of James’ right hand post when possibly the striker should have found the target at least.
Once the home side had a period of some pressure without really threatening, Richard Dunne in particular reading the attacks well to snuff out any threats. Stephen Jordan’s versatility has also shone through, giving an assured performance alongside Dunne in the centre of defence.
The home fans were outraged with 20 minutes to go when they felt they should have had a fould and then a handball inside the area in quick succession. City shook the furore off, and Vassell should have done better when bearing down on goal a minute later, but after firing into the defence, the rebound found Cole who was easily thwarted.
With 12 minutes to go, Musampa earned City’s first booking for a trip on Pennant, who looked to exact revenge before the referee intervened.
Referee Clattenburg waved away more penalty claims with seven minutes remaining, when the ball looked to have touched Jordan’s hand in a tangle with Forssell. Two minutes later, he did give the hosts a free kick on the area after Jihai blocked Melchiot illegally, but Sinclair headed the dead ball kick away.
Barton could have tied the game up with four minutes left, but his volley from Sinclair’s knock-down flew wide much to the midfielder’s anguish.
