Rate it!

1 votes

Birmingham are still seeking their first goal from open play this season following a dour goalless encounter with Stoke City at St Andrews.

Having lost 1-0 to Manchester United on the opening day, Alex McLeish's side needed a James McFadden penalty to beat Portsmouth in midweek, and rarely looked like finding the net against Stoke.

Defences were on top for much of this clash, where goalkeepers Joe Hart and Thomas Sorensen were largely redundant, despite no lack of effort and endeavour from both sides.

Stoke suffered an injury blow after just 10 minutes when striker James Beattie was forced off with an ankle problem to be replaced by Dave Kitson.

The visitors were causing the hosts all sorts of problems with their Rory Delap long throws and it was from a trademark Delap delivery that Stoke almost took the lead after 21 minutes.

The ball was flicked on at the near post and found its way to the back post where Liam Lawrence, playing his 300th English league match, narrowly failed to make the necessary connection.

Immediately afterwards Birmingham came close to opening the scoring when a right wing cross was sliced by Glenn Whelan into the path of Garry O'Connor, whose shoulder deflected the ball narrowly over Thomas Sorensen's crossbar.

Ten minutes later Keith Fahey was forced to head over his own crossbar with Abdoulaye Faye and Ryan Shawcross closing in, as another Delap long throw arrived in the six yard box.

The best opportunity of the half from open play fell to veteran Blues striker Kevin Phillips, who was in the right place to capitalise on good work from Stephen Carr, but whose attempted half volley finish flew high over the Stoke goal.

Stoke started the brighter of the two sides in the second half and Fuller had the first chance of the period after 56 minutes when he collected a through ball in his stride and advanced on goal, however his finish from a narrow angle was held by Sorensen.

The Jamaican striker had arguably Stoke's best chance of the game moments later when a Lawrence free kick inadvertently fell to Fuller via the chest of O'Connor, but despite being just three yards out Fuller's header lacked accuracy and looped over the bar.

Ten minutes later O'Connor forced an excellent save from Sorensen, who had to dive full length to his right to keep out the header from just inside the penalty area.

Stoke did have the ball in the net after 73 minutes, but Fuller was correctly deemed to have handled the ball and was booked for his efforts.

Neither side was able to carve out any further opportunities despite attempts from Fuller and Blues substitute Christian Benitez, and in the end a point apiece was the right result from a largely disappointing contest.

Sean Calvert / Eurosport