Tuesday February 7, 2012 Day 19 Finished St. Andrew's

  1. Birmingham edge Portsmouth

    Birmingham edge Portsmouth

    Birmingham City remain within touching distance of the automatic promotion places in the Championship after a 1-0 win over Portsmouth. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Birmingham City
    • Portsmouth
    • 90+4' Full-time at St. Andrews. 1-0 to Birmingham City as they move up to third in the Championship. Nathan Redmond comes on and seals a valuable win for the home side with 4 minutes to go. A deserved and hard fought win for the Blues.
    • 90+4' Burke smashes a shot just over from distance.
    • 90+4' Redmond announced as the man of the match by the stadium announcer.
    • 90+3' A curling cross is deflected wide for a corner. Pompey have one more chance.
    • 90+2' Free-kick to the away side on the edge of the box.
    • 90+1' Pompey going forward now as Kitson makes a three man front line.
    • 90' Four minutes of added time signalled.
    • 89' The atmosphere is lively at St. Andrews, the home side are being roared on.
    • 88' Birmingham hold onto the ball well and Pompey look frustrated as they can't get forward. Kitson comes on for Etuhu for Pompey.
    • 87' The Blues fully deserve the three points if they do hang on. They've dominated the second half here and Pompey can have no arguements about that goal.
    • 86' GOAL! Birmingham 1-0 Portsmouth. Redmond smashes a volley in superbly. The 17-year-old substitute makes the difference as he hammers home from just inside the box.
    • 86' Rooney tries a bicycle kick which goes wrong.
    • 85' Burke has been well shackled by Halford tonight, he has only got by the tall left-back on a few occasions.
    • 84' Pompey time wasting at any opportunity now. They will be delighted with a point from the Championship's in-form team away from home.
    • 83' Benjani is booked for handball after he handles on the edge of the Birmingham box.
    • 83' The Blues will go fourth with a point tonight, ahead of Blackpool on goal difference.
    • 82' Birmingham have a free-kick in the Pompey half. They have been knocking on the door for the whole second half, but time is running out.
    • 81' Spell of possession for Pompey which will suit them down to the ground as they look to grind out this draw.
    • 80' Long shot from Halford goes harmlessly wide. But down the other end and Mutch drills a shot which Henderson saves, but the referee doesnt give the corner. Close from Birmingham.
    • 79' Pompey are working hard to hold Birmingham to their second 0-0 draw in four days.
    • 78' The Blues have scored late goals all season long and they need a late one today to grab all three points.
    • 77' Pompey will take this point all day long. They have been under the cosh for most of the second half here.
    • 76' Benjani on for Futacs.
    • 75' Elliott goes for goal as the Birmingham players look a lot more urgent in possession of the ball.
    • 74' Fahey again peppers the Pompey goal with another shot. Henderson gathers down low though and Pompey can relax. For the time being at least.
    • 73' From the resulting corner Davies prods the ball towards the net with his left-foot and it squirms wide of the post with Henderson beaten. Birmingham well on top.
    • 72' Ben-Haim makes an awful mistake as he rolls a back pass back to Henderson. However he doesn't see Rooney who picks the ball up and forces Henderson to make a superb save one on one. Best chance of the game so far.
    • 71' Henderson comes out to claim the corner and the shot stopper has done very well coming off his line tonight.
    • 70' The home fans come alive. Corner to Birmingham.
    • 69' Redmond and Burke combine and the ball finds Mutch who is trying to pull the strings in the midfield. But he is smothered by the Pompey defence who are doing well.
    • 68' Fahey is breaking up the play well and Elliott whips in a great ball which just misses Rooney and Burke.
    • 67' Spector getting on down the right once again.
    • 66' Pompey have a throw on the left but again they fail to get things going forward.
    • 65' Birmingham are probing to get their fifth win in their last six outings.
    • 64' Really is backs to the wall stuff for Pompey and they have held firm so far. However how much longer can they soak up this pressure?
    • 63' Spector and Burke linking up well down the right hand side but it comes to no avail. The Blues are knocking on the door.
    • 62' Redmond goes up top and will look to cause problems with his pace in behind the Portsmouth back line.
    • 61' Local favourite Redmond comes on for Marlon King.
    • 60' Half hour to go at St. Andrews and Pompey have hardly got into the Birmingham half so far. Fahey has a snap shot which goes wide.
    • 59' The exciting youngster Nathan Redmond is on the bench for Birmingham.
    • 58' The home fans are getting a little bit restless as Pompey remain stubborn. No signs of any more subs from either team at the moment.
    • 57' Elliott's cross is collected by Henderson. But Chris Hughton will be happy with the way his side have come out after the break.
    • 57' Corner to come in from Mutch for the home side.
    • 56' Burke's cross doesn't find King and nobody else is there to capitalize. Such a shame the right winger is getting some joy now.
    • 55' Rooney is causing problems up front but it continues to be an open game. The Blues have to be careful to not get caught.
    • 54' Who is going to get their noses in front here? Let me know. Twitter: @JPW8
    • 53' Slight lull in play on a cold night in Birmingham.
    • 52' Lawrence bends in a delightful cross but Pearce heads over for Pompey. The South Coast side look dangerous on the break and are keeping the home side on their toes.
    • 51' Birmingham start the second half well, just as they did in the first period.
    • 50' Great defending from Halford as Murphy whips a great ball in that King was waiting to head home. Corner to the Blues.
    • 49' King and Elliott combine on the edge of the box, but Pearce clears at a crucial time.
    • 48' High tempo stuff at St. Andrew's but not a clear cut chance to report yet.
    • 47' Update on N'Daw's injury is that it's a right calf injury and hopefully nothing too long term. Good news for Blues fans.
    • 46' Corner for Birmingham and Rooney nearly gets on the end of it.
    • 45' Birmingham get us underway in the second half.
    • 45+2' Half-time at St. Andrews, 0-0. A few good half chances for both sides with Huseklepp going close for Pompey and Spector's mazy run the highlight for Birmingham. A tight affair here, but it will be a very intresting second half as both sides need the points.
    • 45+2' Burke takes on Halford and his cross to the back post reaches King. But Henderson comes and collects in goal for Birmingham. Good play by the speedy winger.
    • 45+1' Not the most entertaining game so far, but both sides are committed to going forward. Hopefully there will be so more clear cut chances in the second half.
    • 45' Two minutes added time at the end of the first half.
    • 44' Mullins has a strike from the edge of the box which goes wide.
    • 43' Referee Darren Drysdale has done a good job in keeping the game flowing tonight.
    • 42' Spell of possession for Pompey, manager Michael Appleton will be happy with the way his side have played so far. They have looked solid and very dangerous on the break.
    • 41' The Blues have struggled to get going after a great start early on.
    • 40' End to end finish to the first half here. Pompey are looking strong with Birmingham holding on.
    • 39' Rooney's header is blocked by Rocha.
    • 38' Huseklepp smashes a great effort which Myhill saves. He has been a spectator for most of the game, terrific save from the former Hull keeper.
    • 37' Pompey growing in confidence as Etuhu is getting forward well from midfield. Pompey should be happy with their first half display so far.
    • 36' A brief respite for Pompey after sustained pressure from Birmingham.
    • 35' Mutch takes it instead but his shot goes into the wall.
    • 34' Rooney wins a free-kick 20 yards out in a dangerous position. Pearce brings him down. Murphy to step up for the Blues.
    • 33' Mutch and Fahey are controlling the possession in the midfield.
    • 32' Burke runs at Halford, but the Pompey left back does well to close him down.
    • 31' Blues have taken 18 points from the last 22 and look the more likely to open the scoring on a a cold evening at St. Andrew's.
    • 30' Fahey sends a shot left footed wide of goal as the Blues look to end the first half on top. The Irish midfielder is certainly taking up his central midfield role with panache this evening.
    • 29' King is caught offside
    • 28' Fahey goes down and penalty appeals ring around St. Andrews from the home fans.
    • 27' Huseklepp and Futacs looking sharp up top for Pompey
    • 26' This is Pompey's 30th game of the season. While in contrast with their FA Cup and Europa league commitements, this is Birmingham's 40th match.
    • 25' Great challenge from Rocha on King as the former Watford striker looked to be clean through on goal.
    • 24' Huseklepp runs at the Blues defence but Caldwell comes over to tidy up.
    • 23' Birmingham pilling on the pressure now.
    • 22' Henderson has looked unsure with his kicking tonight in goal for Pompey, thats three slices from the shot stopper.
    • 21' Spector's looping cross is collected by Henderson at the back post, Burke did well to create the chance to cross.
    • 20' Murphy with the long throw after good work from Rooney up front. The big guns can't get hold of it though.
    • 19' Halford smashes the effort into the wall.
    • 18' Free-kick to Pompey in the middle of the pitch, Futacs is taken down by Caldwell.
    • 17' The game has turned into a slightly scrappy affair as both sides are battling in midfield for possession. Pompey are quite happy to keep the ball at the back.
    • 16' American international defender Jonathan Spector runs past three Pompey players and fizzes a low shot just wide of the post. Great attacking play from the Blues right back.
    • 15' Very even game at St. Andrew's so far tonight. Pompey are on a good run themselves, their last game resulted in a 3-0 win over Peterbrough away.
    • 14' Spell of possession for Birmingham, who know a win tonight will see them go third in the Championship table.
    • 13' Wade Elliott comes on to replace N'Daw. The Southampton born midfielder will slot in on the left with Fahey moving into the middle.
    • 12' N'Daw has gone down injured , the Senegal international is clutching hs right ankle. Big blow for Birmingham.
    • 11' Futacs hits a shot on the half-volley from 15-yards out which sails just over the bar. The South Coast side have been patient in their build up here.
    • 10' Mullins has a crack from outside the box but it drifts 4 or 5 yards wide of the post, Pompey settling down into this one.
    • 9' A few shaky moments at the back so far for Pompey, the Blues putting on some early pressure.
    • 8' Fahey has a driven effort which is well saved in the Pompey goal by Henderson.
    • 8' Liam Lawrence brings down Burke and its a free-kick to Birmingham 40 yards out.
    • 7' Pompey are sitting behind the ball and look hard to beat.
    • 6' Blues have a throw near the Pompey box but it comes to nothing, very long ball here to start with.
    • 6' Pompey come forward with Marco Futacs but his ball is cut out by Murphy.
    • 5' Mutch whips in a great ball and King is unmarked at the backpost, but his header across goal misses everyone and floats wide. Lively start from the Blues.
    • 5' Mutch delivers it in, Rooney can't flick it on.
    • 4' Mutch runs at Ben-Haim, and Murphy gets the ball wide. His cross is deflected behind for a corner.
    • 3' Offside from Marlon King
    • 2' Early possession from Birmingham as Burke gets hold of the ball down the right.
    • 1' Portsmouth kick-off, we are underway.
    • 19:45 Teams are out at St. Andrews, kick-off is approaching.
    • 19:35 Pompey are unchanged. Zigic isn't fit for Birmingham again, so the Blues remain unchanged also. 10 minutes until kick-off in England's second city. Follow me, Joe Prince-Wright, on Twitter on @JPW8 to discuss the game as it goes on and any other football action from tonight. Twitter: @JPW8
    • 19:30 There were wintry scenes at St. Andrews for the weekend clash with fellow South Coast side Southampton, and the pitch could be slightly worse for wear this evening after 2 games in four days.
    • 19:27 Pompey have experience in abundance. Hayden Mullins is making his 550th club career start tonight, and Liam Lawrence is making his 350th. Stalwarts.
    • 19:25 Pompey have won four, drawn three and lost four of their 11 league games under first year manager Michael Appleton. They are vying for their second back-to-back victories in Appleton's tenure.
    • 19:25 Birmingham are also unbeaten at home in the league this season, with Portugese side Braga the only team to win at St. Andrews during the Europa league group stages.
    • 19:23 Portsmouth have a tough task against the Blues. The Brummies are undefeated in 11 in all competitions, winning seven and drawing four since a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on 19 December.
    • 19:22 Birmingham have recorded 41 wins to Portsmouth's 29 in 95 league and cup meetings between the two sides since 1901.
    • 19:18 TEAMS: Birmingham: Myhill, Spector, Caldwell, Davies, Murphy, Burke, N'Daw, Mutch, Fahey, King, Rooney. Subs: Doyle, Ibanez, Gomis, Elliott, Redmond /// Portsmouth: Henderson, Ben-Haim, Rocha, Pearce, Halford, Ward, Lawrence, Mullins, Etuhu, Huseklepp, Futacs. Subs: Ashdown, Mokoena, Kitson, Mwaruwari, Webster
    • 19:17 Portsmouth will be without defender Aaron Mokoena who has failed to recover from a hamstring injury. While Dave Kitson and Ricardo Rocha should return after injury.
    • 19:16 Birmingham will give a late check to striker Nikola Zigic who injured a knee after scoring his fourth goal at Leeds and subsequently missed Saturday's 0-0 draw with Southampton. Guirane N'Daw may get a rest having played 90 minutes against the Saints on his return from international duty, with Nathan Redmond likely to come in.
    • 19:15 Hello and welcome to tonight's live coverage of Birmingham City v Portsmouth in the Championship. We will have minute by minute updates from the action at St. Andrews as Birmingham look to draw level on points with Cardiff in 3rd place and Pompey aim to climb into mid-table, despite all their well documented financial problems

  • Summary

    • 86' GOAL! Birmingham 1-0 Portsmouth. Redmond smashes a volley in superbly. The 17-year-old substitute makes the difference as he hammers home from just inside the box.
    • 72' Ben-Haim makes an awful mistake as he rolls a back pass back to Henderson. However he doesn't see Rooney who picks the ball up and forces Henderson to make a superb save one on one. Best chance of the game so far.
    • 38' Huseklepp smashes a great effort which Myhill saves. He has been a spectator for most of the game, terrific save from the former Hull keeper.
    • 5' Mutch whips in a great ball and King is unmarked at the backpost, but his header across goal misses everyone and floats wide. Lively start from the Blues.
    • 19:18 TEAMS: Birmingham: Myhill, Spector, Caldwell, Davies, Murphy, Burke, N'Daw, Mutch, Fahey, King, Rooney. Subs: Doyle, Ibanez, Gomis, Elliott, Redmond /// Portsmouth: Henderson, Ben-Haim, Rocha, Pearce, Halford, Ward, Lawrence, Mullins, Etuhu, Huseklepp, Futacs. Subs: Ashdown, Mokoena, Kitson, Mwaruwari, Webster

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      8.3 -
      Defenders
      8.4 -
      7.6 -
      7.8 -
      8.1 -
      Midfielders
      8.3 -
      Substitution Out13′ 7.7 -
      7.6 -
      8.4 -
      Strikers
      7.9 -
      Substitution Out62′ 7.8 -
      Subs
      Substitution In13′ 7.9 -
      Substitution In62′ Goal 8.1 -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.3 -
      Defenders
      5.3 -
      4.4 -
      4.2 -
      5.2 -
      Midfielders
      4 -
      5.4 -
      4.2 -
      Substitution Out90′ 5 -
      Strikers
      4.4 -
      Substitution Out75′ 4.2 -
      Subs
      Substitution In90′ 1 -
      Substitution In75′ Yellow Card 1 -

Comment 28 - 47 of 47

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  1. Stay cool you blueboys and keep up the great run we­ have a top class gaffer and great team spirit to­ overcome what we have to put up with this season and­ where we are in the league is nothing more than a­ miracle our football is great to watch all down to­ Chris if we make the premier then you should be the­ manager of the season all the best you lads at ST­ ANDREWS and for all the Bluenoses

    From kro, on Wed 8 Feb 20:37

  2. Look out Hammers, we're coming to get you­

    KRO
    SOTV
    NFS.....Ever

    From Realist., on Wed 8 Feb 8:23

  3. Well done Chris Hughton, see you in the Premier. Was­ great here at Newcastle, shouldn't have been­ sacked. Looking forward to seeing you and your­ supporters next season, you deserve it after the­ shafting you got from your board and crappy scots­ traitor of a manager. At least we sent him home with a­ face like an arse on Sunday

    From Mr.E.B., on Wed 8 Feb 7:24

  4. 1:Birmingham
    2:West Ham
    Southampton win play-offs in­ 6th place

    From jamie354980, on Wed 8 Feb 6:27

  5. For ever and ever we`ll follow the Blues....

    From b.alexander, on Wed 8 Feb 5:40

  6. what a player Nathan Redmond 1-0 Blues..

    From Tom, on Wed 8 Feb 5:38

  7. Worn them down at last! Just shows, if you "Keep­ Right On to the End of the Road", the rewards will­ come

    From dave.peregrine, on Wed 8 Feb 5:36

  8. I knew Redmond would score. Hes a promising young lad,­ and hes ONLY 17!!!! Holy daaaamn. I'm a West Ham­ fan, but I like Birmingham alot. They've done alot­ over the few years, and, like West Ham, when we got­ releated, we still both manage to fill our stadiums,­ so, well done Birmingham fans.

    Good luck with­ automatic promotion, see you lot back in the Premier­ :).

    From wolfy_2k8runescaper, on Wed 8 Feb 5:36

  9. great stuff Redmond

    From sandra, on Wed 8 Feb 5:36

  10. If it has to be a hard 1-0, then so be it, 3 points is­ what we want.

    From John, on Wed 8 Feb 5:35

  11. Super Nathan Redmond

    From don_key14, on Wed 8 Feb 5:35

  12. Is my prediction coming true... COME YOU BLUE­ BOYS!!!!!!!!!

    From David, on Wed 8 Feb 5:34

  13. 1-0 u little beauties...

    From b.alexander, on Wed 8 Feb 5:34

  14. Come on u Blues....

    From b.alexander, on Wed 8 Feb 5:33

  15. 1.0 come on me baby, Redmond scores.......

    From Paige, on Wed 8 Feb 5:33

  16. where are is nikola zigic...this is reason why is there­ no goals

    From Goran, on Wed 8 Feb 5:22

  17. Stay positive Blues, the goal will come! Forever Blue.

    From Pete, on Wed 8 Feb 5:20

  18. @#$% on da baggies

    From dog, on Wed 8 Feb 5:20

  19. I predicted a Redmond brace...

    From David, on Wed 8 Feb 5:12

  20. I hope that Blues are not going to go back into­ 'low scoring mode'

    From kage, on Wed 8 Feb 5:08
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