Birmingham 0 Coventry 1 - 03/11/2008
Birmingham 0 Coventry 1 - 03/11/2008
Birmingham City: Maik Taylor, Radhi Jaidi, Liam Ridgewell, Franck Queudrue, Nicky Hunt, Lee Carsley, Sebastian Larsson, Kemy Agustien (Nigel Quashie 60), Cameron Jerome (Quincy Owusu-Abeyie 70), James McFadden, Kevin Phillips (Marcus Bent 65)
Subs not used: Colin Doyle, Martin Taylor
Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Elliott Ward, Scott Dann, Daniel Fox, Guillaume Beuzelin, Isaac Osbourne, Jay Tabb (Marcus Hall 89), Aron Gunnarsson, Michael Mifsud, Clinton Morrison (Freddy Eastwood 81), Leon Best (Robbie Simpson 86)
Subs not used: Michael Doyle, Andy Marshall
Booked: Jay Tabb 44, Scott Dann 43
Goals: Clinton Morrison 53
Attendance: 17215
Referee: A Bates
Teamtalk
Coventry's Clinton Morrison came back to haunt former club Birmingham as he scored the decisive goal as the Sky Blues won 1-0 at St Andrews.
The 29-year-old, who spent three seasons with Birmingham before he was sold to Crystal Palace in August 2005, headed home from a corner eight minutes after the half-time break on Monday night.
But Coventry's man of the match was undoubtedly goalkeeper Keiren Westwood who made several superb saves in the second half to deny Birmingham and leave them four points behind league leaders Wolves.
Blues boss Alex McLeish gave a debut to on-loan Bolton defender Nicky Hunt as he made three changes from the side which lost 1-0 to QPR.
Coventry manager Chris Coleman made two changes to the team which drew 1-1 at Southampton as Leon Best and Jay Tabb were recalled at the expense of Freddy Eastwood and Michael Doyle.
And it was the visitors who had the first chance in the third minute of a lively opening period when Aron Gunnarsson crossed from the left flank but Best could only direct his header straight at goalkeeper Maik Taylor from close range.
Birmingham immediately hit on the counter-attack and Larsson forced a smart save from Westwood at his near post.
Kevin Phillips then had a great opportunity to open the scoring in the 12th minute when Franck Queudrue glanced on a Larsson corner.
The ball dropped to Phillips inside the six-yard box but he was unable to get a clean strike at goal and Westwood collected.
Morrison struck the crossbar moments later with a thunderous strike after Tabb had cleverly set him up 10 yards out following Michael Mifsud's low cross from the right.
Coleman's side had a good claim for a penalty turned down eight minutes before the half-time interval when Liam Ridgewell impeded the run of Morrison but referee Tony Bates waved away the appeals of the Sky Blues players.
Coventry began the second half positively and Morrison gave them the lead in the 53rd minute with a neat finish from close range.
Daniel Fox delivered a dangerous inswinging corner which was flicked on by Guillaume Beuzelin into the six-yard box to Morrison who held off the attentions of Ridgewell to head past Taylor.
Ridgewell almost levelled three minutes later with a similar chance to the Coventry goal when McFadden flicked on but Westwood made a fine save to palm the ball to safety.
The visitors sat on their lead and McFadden stung the fingers of Westwood with a swerving shot from distance in the 68th minute.
Two minutes later the Scotland international striker curled a teasing ball into the area but neither substitute Marcus Bent nor Queudrue could get a touch.
Coventry had a golden opportunity to double their advantage with a beautifully worked move on the counter-attack in the 76th minute.
Best broke down the right flank and Beuzelin's clever back-heel found the late run of Tabb but the midfielder smashed his shot over the bar with only Taylor to beat.
Westwood continued to perform heroics in the Coventry goal when he saved brilliantly from a Rahdi Jaidi header three minutes later.
Birmingham thought they had equalised in the 83rd minute when a corner deflected off Queudrue and appeared to cross the line but Westwood gathered and the assistant referee ruled in Coventry's favour.
The Blues continued to press in the dying stages and Larsson was guilty of missing a good chance as the visitors held on to claim only their second away win of the season.
CCFC
Coventry City survived three goal line incidents to take all three points in a 1-0 nailbiter against BirminghamCity at St Andrews.
Clinton Morrison bagged his third goal in three games to put the Sky Blues ahead against his old club seven minutes into the second half.
And Keiren Westwood put in a hero's performance between the sticks for Chris Coleman's side to pull off unbelievable stops from Liam Ridgewell, Radhi Jaidi and Franck Queudrue.
Coventry had a golden opportunity to go ahead after 15minutes when Morrison hit the Maik Taylor's crossbar, a weighted ball from Guillaume Beuzelin reaching Tabb and the ball falling into Morrison's path only for him to smash his half volley against the upright.
The Sky Blues infact enjoyed the majority of thegood play in the first half but it did not suggest the nailbiter of a seconf 45 minutes to come.
Morrison set the tone with his opener on 52 minutes, an excellent corner delivery from Danny Fox flicked off the head of the impressive Beuzelin before Morrison nodded the ball into the top corner past Taylor.
Birmingham could have been on level terms just four minutes later had it not been for the reflexes of Westwood though when Ridgewell's header, going goalwards, was flapped out of the goalmouth by the City 'keeper.
Kevin Phillips followed up the parry but could only hit the outside of the bar.
It was a fine example of stubborn defending by the Sky Blues for the remainder of the game as they were forced into a backs-to-the-wall display at Blues pushed on for an equaliser.
And Westwood was called upon once again when Jaidi's header powered downwards at goal was pushed onto the bar on the line by Westwood and then cleared by Aron Gunnarsson.
There was time for one more push from Alex McLeish's side, Queudrue getting the final touch on a cross from substitute Quincy with five minutes to go.
But Westwood managed to keep the ball from just going completely over the line, despite the protests of the hosts, to steer Coventry on course for their first three-point haul since the start of October.
4thegame
Clinton Morrison returned to haunt Birmingham City with a goalscoring performance which gave Coventry City only their fifth win of the season.
The former Blues striker was delighted with his 53rd strike as the home side slumped to their second successive 1-0 reverse.
But the game ended in controversy when Franck Queudrue's effort was disallowed, although the television replay clearly showed the ball had crossed the line.
It was another disappointing home performance by second in the table Birmingham, who had been looking to close the gap on the leaders Wolves to one point.
Once again it was evident that if Birmingham, who included on-loan Nicky Hunt from Bolton, are to regain their Premier League status it is going to be achieved the hard way.
There is a big emphasis on defence and, despite having three strikers in attack in an attempt to batter Coventry into submission, it was the Sky Blues who were often the more dangerous.
Coventry had one let-off from a Seb Larsson corner. Kevin Phillips nudged the ball goalwards only to see goalkeeper Kieren Westwood fumble the effort. Fortunately Isaac Osbourne was on the line to clear.
It was then Birmingham's turn to breath a sigh of relief when a snap shot from Morrison rattled the crossbar.
The home fans became increasingly frustrated with the performance of their team and they had every reason to be anxious as Coventry were always a potential threat.
Coventry seemingly had a strong claim for a penalty when Morrison was body-checked by Liam Ridgwell, but their plea was firmly rejected by the referee.
Coventry's young skipper Scott Dann, along with Elliott Ward, was on top of his game. Phillips, in particularly, was completely shut out by the dominant Dann.
The stalemate was finally broken in the 53rd minute when an inswinging corner from the right by Danny Fox was headed home from close range by Morrison for his third goal of the season.
Westwood then came to Coventry's rescue with a magnificent finger-tip save just under the bar to keep out a Ridgewell header.
A few minutes later Westwood twisted to save a long-range swerving shot from James McFadden in a spell of strong Birmingham pressure. Marcus Bent then missed an opportunity when he failed to convert a McFadden cross.
Westwood was Coventry's hero late on as Birmingham laid siege to his goal. In Birmingham's desperate bid to equalise, the keeper tipped a Radhi Jaidi header against the bar.
Birmingham City: Maik Taylor, Radhi Jaidi, Liam Ridgewell, Franck Queudrue, Nicky Hunt, Lee Carsley, Sebastian Larsson, Kemy Agustien (Nigel Quashie 60), Cameron Jerome (Quincy Owusu-Abeyie 70), James McFadden, Kevin Phillips (Marcus Bent 65)
Subs not used: Colin Doyle, Martin Taylor
Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Elliott Ward, Scott Dann, Daniel Fox, Guillaume Beuzelin, Isaac Osbourne, Jay Tabb (Marcus Hall 89), Aron Gunnarsson, Michael Mifsud, Clinton Morrison (Freddy Eastwood 81), Leon Best (Robbie Simpson 86)
Subs not used: Michael Doyle, Andy Marshall
Booked: Jay Tabb 44, Scott Dann 43
Goals: Clinton Morrison 53
Attendance: 17215
Referee: A Bates
Teamtalk
Coventry's Clinton Morrison came back to haunt former club Birmingham as he scored the decisive goal as the Sky Blues won 1-0 at St Andrews.
The 29-year-old, who spent three seasons with Birmingham before he was sold to Crystal Palace in August 2005, headed home from a corner eight minutes after the half-time break on Monday night.
But Coventry's man of the match was undoubtedly goalkeeper Keiren Westwood who made several superb saves in the second half to deny Birmingham and leave them four points behind league leaders Wolves.
Blues boss Alex McLeish gave a debut to on-loan Bolton defender Nicky Hunt as he made three changes from the side which lost 1-0 to QPR.
Coventry manager Chris Coleman made two changes to the team which drew 1-1 at Southampton as Leon Best and Jay Tabb were recalled at the expense of Freddy Eastwood and Michael Doyle.
And it was the visitors who had the first chance in the third minute of a lively opening period when Aron Gunnarsson crossed from the left flank but Best could only direct his header straight at goalkeeper Maik Taylor from close range.
Birmingham immediately hit on the counter-attack and Larsson forced a smart save from Westwood at his near post.
Kevin Phillips then had a great opportunity to open the scoring in the 12th minute when Franck Queudrue glanced on a Larsson corner.
The ball dropped to Phillips inside the six-yard box but he was unable to get a clean strike at goal and Westwood collected.
Morrison struck the crossbar moments later with a thunderous strike after Tabb had cleverly set him up 10 yards out following Michael Mifsud's low cross from the right.
Coleman's side had a good claim for a penalty turned down eight minutes before the half-time interval when Liam Ridgewell impeded the run of Morrison but referee Tony Bates waved away the appeals of the Sky Blues players.
Coventry began the second half positively and Morrison gave them the lead in the 53rd minute with a neat finish from close range.
Daniel Fox delivered a dangerous inswinging corner which was flicked on by Guillaume Beuzelin into the six-yard box to Morrison who held off the attentions of Ridgewell to head past Taylor.
Ridgewell almost levelled three minutes later with a similar chance to the Coventry goal when McFadden flicked on but Westwood made a fine save to palm the ball to safety.
The visitors sat on their lead and McFadden stung the fingers of Westwood with a swerving shot from distance in the 68th minute.
Two minutes later the Scotland international striker curled a teasing ball into the area but neither substitute Marcus Bent nor Queudrue could get a touch.
Coventry had a golden opportunity to double their advantage with a beautifully worked move on the counter-attack in the 76th minute.
Best broke down the right flank and Beuzelin's clever back-heel found the late run of Tabb but the midfielder smashed his shot over the bar with only Taylor to beat.
Westwood continued to perform heroics in the Coventry goal when he saved brilliantly from a Rahdi Jaidi header three minutes later.
Birmingham thought they had equalised in the 83rd minute when a corner deflected off Queudrue and appeared to cross the line but Westwood gathered and the assistant referee ruled in Coventry's favour.
The Blues continued to press in the dying stages and Larsson was guilty of missing a good chance as the visitors held on to claim only their second away win of the season.
CCFC
Coventry City survived three goal line incidents to take all three points in a 1-0 nailbiter against BirminghamCity at St Andrews.
Clinton Morrison bagged his third goal in three games to put the Sky Blues ahead against his old club seven minutes into the second half.
And Keiren Westwood put in a hero's performance between the sticks for Chris Coleman's side to pull off unbelievable stops from Liam Ridgewell, Radhi Jaidi and Franck Queudrue.
Coventry had a golden opportunity to go ahead after 15minutes when Morrison hit the Maik Taylor's crossbar, a weighted ball from Guillaume Beuzelin reaching Tabb and the ball falling into Morrison's path only for him to smash his half volley against the upright.
The Sky Blues infact enjoyed the majority of thegood play in the first half but it did not suggest the nailbiter of a seconf 45 minutes to come.
Morrison set the tone with his opener on 52 minutes, an excellent corner delivery from Danny Fox flicked off the head of the impressive Beuzelin before Morrison nodded the ball into the top corner past Taylor.
Birmingham could have been on level terms just four minutes later had it not been for the reflexes of Westwood though when Ridgewell's header, going goalwards, was flapped out of the goalmouth by the City 'keeper.
Kevin Phillips followed up the parry but could only hit the outside of the bar.
It was a fine example of stubborn defending by the Sky Blues for the remainder of the game as they were forced into a backs-to-the-wall display at Blues pushed on for an equaliser.
And Westwood was called upon once again when Jaidi's header powered downwards at goal was pushed onto the bar on the line by Westwood and then cleared by Aron Gunnarsson.
There was time for one more push from Alex McLeish's side, Queudrue getting the final touch on a cross from substitute Quincy with five minutes to go.
But Westwood managed to keep the ball from just going completely over the line, despite the protests of the hosts, to steer Coventry on course for their first three-point haul since the start of October.
4thegame
Clinton Morrison returned to haunt Birmingham City with a goalscoring performance which gave Coventry City only their fifth win of the season.
The former Blues striker was delighted with his 53rd strike as the home side slumped to their second successive 1-0 reverse.
But the game ended in controversy when Franck Queudrue's effort was disallowed, although the television replay clearly showed the ball had crossed the line.
It was another disappointing home performance by second in the table Birmingham, who had been looking to close the gap on the leaders Wolves to one point.
Once again it was evident that if Birmingham, who included on-loan Nicky Hunt from Bolton, are to regain their Premier League status it is going to be achieved the hard way.
There is a big emphasis on defence and, despite having three strikers in attack in an attempt to batter Coventry into submission, it was the Sky Blues who were often the more dangerous.
Coventry had one let-off from a Seb Larsson corner. Kevin Phillips nudged the ball goalwards only to see goalkeeper Kieren Westwood fumble the effort. Fortunately Isaac Osbourne was on the line to clear.
It was then Birmingham's turn to breath a sigh of relief when a snap shot from Morrison rattled the crossbar.
The home fans became increasingly frustrated with the performance of their team and they had every reason to be anxious as Coventry were always a potential threat.
Coventry seemingly had a strong claim for a penalty when Morrison was body-checked by Liam Ridgwell, but their plea was firmly rejected by the referee.
Coventry's young skipper Scott Dann, along with Elliott Ward, was on top of his game. Phillips, in particularly, was completely shut out by the dominant Dann.
The stalemate was finally broken in the 53rd minute when an inswinging corner from the right by Danny Fox was headed home from close range by Morrison for his third goal of the season.
Westwood then came to Coventry's rescue with a magnificent finger-tip save just under the bar to keep out a Ridgewell header.
A few minutes later Westwood twisted to save a long-range swerving shot from James McFadden in a spell of strong Birmingham pressure. Marcus Bent then missed an opportunity when he failed to convert a McFadden cross.
Westwood was Coventry's hero late on as Birmingham laid siege to his goal. In Birmingham's desperate bid to equalise, the keeper tipped a Radhi Jaidi header against the bar.
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 10:27 pm
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