Saturday August 21, 2010 Day 2 Finished St. Andrew's

Birmingham City 2 - 1 Blackburn Rovers

  • Gardner 57’, 71’
  • N'Zonzi 54’

17 comments | Write your comment

  1. Gardner inspires Birmingham

    Gardner inspires Birmingham

    Craig Gardner struck twice as Birmingham came from behind against Blackburn Rovers to win a thrilling Premier League contest 2-1. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Birmingham City
    • Blackburn Rovers
    • 90+5 Full-time. 2-1 to Birmingham - cracking game of football.
    • 90+5 Jerome almost scores as an own goal as he defends a corner.
    • 90+3 Blackburn are launching the ball into the box as they search for an equaliser.
    • 90+2' City almost make it 3-1, but Robinson does well to save a fierce volley from Derbyshire.
    • 90+1 City looked to have the three points wrapped up.
    • 89' This might have not looked like the most exciting fixture on paper, but it's been a barn stormer.
    • 87' Rovers look like they have run out of ideas as City defend their lead.
    • 85' Decent curling effort from El-Hadji Diouf out wide on the left is well gathered by Foster.
    • 84' Kalinic is replaced by David Hoilett.
    • 82' Two goal hero Gardner makes way for Keith Fahey.
    • 82' City are pushing for a third, but Rovers are holding firm.
    • 79' Ridgewell fires a shot down the throat of Robinson.
    • 78' City make a sub. McFadden comes off for Lee Bowyer.
    • 77' Brilliant last ditch tackle from Salgado as Derbyshire pulled the trigger.
    • 76' Great defensive header from Dann. Cross from El-Hadji Diouf would have been right on the head of Mame Diouf had it not been for his intervention.
    • 75' Foster flaps at a cross, but is let off and manages to claim at the third attempt.
    • 73' Rovers are going for it. Defender Gael Givet is replaced by striker Mame Diouf.
    • 71' Gardner's shot from 25 yards out skips past Robinson and flies into the bottom right hand corner. The home are now in control.
    • 71' GGGOOOAALLL!!! 2-1 to City!
    • 69' It's frenetic out there, but a bit of a chance for a breather as the two teams continue to wrestle for supremacy.
    • 67' Zigic makes way for debutant Matt Derbyshire.
    • 66' Rovers really piling on the pressure at the moment. Foster is a busy man.
    • 63' Rovers make a change. Jones comes off for Brett Emerton.
    • 62' How did that one stay out? Rovers so close to taking the lead. Gamst Pedersen puts a cross on Kalinic's head, but he can only guide his effort against the post with Foster motionless.
    • 59' Foster makes another good save. Kalinic cuts in from the right and drills a low shot at goal which the goalkeeper does well to get down to and save.
    • 57' Deep ball into the box is volleyed across goal by James McFadden for Gardner, who volleys into an empty net from close range.
    • 57' GGGOOOAALLLLLLL!!!! 1-1 City level.
    • 54' Gamst Pedersen stood up a cross to the near post and Nzonzi got in front of Scott Dann to head past a stranded Foster.
    • 54' GGGOOOOAALLL!!! 1-0 to Rovers.
    • 53' Another good save from Foster. Gamst Pedersen's long throw was headed goal wards by Steven Nzonzi, but the goalkeeper did well to tip it over.
    • 52' Gardner hits a teasing cross to the back post, but it's just ahead of his team-mates.
    • 50' FANTASTIC save from Foster! Brilliant. The England keeper dives to his left to divert Gamst Pedersen's penalty on to the bar.
    • 50' Zigic is booked for hauling down Samba in the box.
    • 49' Penalty to Blackburn!
    • 48' Gardner is in the thick of the action again, dragging a shot wide of the post.
    • 46' Gardner clips a ball to the back post and Michel Salgado does brilliantly to head the ball out for a corner with a City player lurking behind him, waiting to pounce.
    • 45' And Rovers get the second half underway.
    • 17:05 The players are out for the second half.
    • 45+2' Half-time 0-0. Entertaining half.
    • 45+1' Kalinic breaks down the left, cuts inside and beats Ridgewell, but Johnson does well to come back and sweep up.
    • 44' Rovers applying some pressure at the end of the half. Diouf sees another shot blocked by a Birmingham defender.
    • 42' Pace of the game has picked up again. It's end to end. Gardner feeds off Jerome, but Rovers shackle the threat and then the visitors fly up the other end and Diouf cuts inside before having his shot blocked.
    • 39' Larsson feeds Craig Gardner and he drives at the heart of the Rovers defence, before firing a shot wide of the goal from distance.
    • 36' Phil Jones hits a disappointing volley into the stands from 25 yards out.
    • 35' Kalinic gets himself in a good position inside the Birmingham 18 yard box, but miscues his shot and it goes harmlessly wide.
    • 33' There have been crunching tackles in this game. Fiesty but fair.
    • 32' Birmingham are starting to impose themselves on this game now.
    • 29' Great save from Robinson. Corner from the left by Larsson finds Ridgewell loping into the six yard box. His header is straight at the former Spurs custodian, but he shows great reflexes to turn the ball over the bar. Best chance of the game so far.
    • 28' Shot from Larsson takes a deflection and goes out for a corner.
    • 26' Rovers are getting the ball out wide to Diouf and Gamst Pedersen as quickly as possible. Big Sam has obviously told his players to test Foster with high balls into the box. So far, so good for the former United goalkeeper....
    • 24' Blackburn continue to dominate proceedings.
    • 22' Free kick from Gamst Pedersen on the right channel is turned goalwards by Christopher Samba and Foster scrambles across his goal to save and concede a corner. From resulting set piece Rovers win a second corner, which is well gathered by Foster.
    • 21' This game has slowed down a fair bit after the high octane start.
    • 19' Alex McLeish is barking at his players from the touchline, while Big Sam looks like an FBI agent nattering away into his mouthpiece at his coaching staff in the dugout.
    • 17' Free kick from Gamst Pedersen flies across the face of goal. Excellent delivery.
    • 16' Blackburn have shaded the opening quarter of an hour.
    • 15' The action has been fast and furious so far at St Andrews. Very high tempo to the game - both teams are out to win this match. There's no sense of caution.
    • 12' Long kick down field from Robinson lands into a cluster of players inside the Birmingham box and Foster has to battle to punch it clear. Lucky for him it falls to a fellow City player and they clear their lines.
    • 9' Corner is cleared to Diouf 25 yards from goal and he unleashes a fierce shot that fizzes over the bar.
    • 9' Roger Johnson does well to block a shot from Martin Olsson. Corner to Rovers.
    • 9' Game is starting to settle after lightening start.
    • 8' Liam Ridgewell welcomes Diouf to St Andrews with an industrial strength challenge. Free kick is given.
    • 5' Stephen Carr fires a shot into the stands from 20 yards out.
    • 4' Fast counter from Rovers. Nikola Kalinic almost finds Morten Gamst Pedersen bursting through the centre, but Ben Foster is quick off his line and smothers the ball.
    • 3' Corner for Birmingham. Sebastian Larsson swings it in, but Rovers clear.
    • 2' El-Hadji Diouf swings in a cross from the right that is well collected by Ben Foster. Bright start from both teams.
    • 1' And we're off at St Andrews. Inside the first minute Jerome tests Paul Robinson with an early shot.
    • 16:01 How will Nikola Zigic fair on his first appearance at St Andrews?
    • 16:00 Blackburn will be looking to build on their opening day win against Everton, while Birmingham will be in the hunt for their first three points of the season after their 2-2 draw with Sunderland.
    • 15:53 The visitor's French defender Gael Givet is set to make his 50th Premeir League appearance.
    • 15:52 Rovers have won all three previous Premier League matches in which striker Nikola Kalinic has scored.
    • 15:52 Blackburn came from behind to win four Premier League matches last season – the equal-most comeback wins in the division, level with Everton and Chelsea.
    • 15:52 Blackburn picked up 32 points from 19 Premier League matches in 2010 – the equal-seventh best record in the division with Aston Villa this year, and more points than Liverpool (31) and today’s opponents Birmingham City (19).
    • 15:51 Blackburn won their last Premier League visit to the city of Birmingham – a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa on May 9. This is their only Premier League victory in the city in the last ten visits.
    • 15:51 In two of the previous three seasons Blackburn have won their first away match of the season – 2-1 at Middlesbrough (2007) and 3-2 at Everton (2008).
    • 15:50 If Blackburn win today it will be only the second time in PL history they have won their opening two matches of the season, and the first since the 1997-98 season. They eventually finished in 11th place in the division.
    • 15:49 Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has lost four of his previous five Premier League visits to St Andrews – his only victory was Bolton’s 2-1 win in January 2005.
    • 15:48 Stephen Carr is set to make his 50th league appearance for Birmingham City.
    • 15:43 Cameron Jerome has scored four goals in the last five Premier League meetings between these clubs.
    • 15:43 Birmingham came from 2-0 down to pick up a point at Sunderland in their opening Premier League match of the season. They came from behind to draw on six occasions in the Premier League last season – only Manchester City (8) came from behind to draw on more occasions in the 2009-10 season.
    • 15:41 Birmingham have won their last four PL home matches against Blackburn since the 4-0 defeat in December 2003. This is the club’s longest ever run of consecutive PL home victories against another club.
    • 15:41 Blackburn have scored in each of their last 22 top flight matches against Birmingham, since a 1-0 away defeat in April 1960.
    • 15:41 The home side has won each of the last seven Premier League meetings between these clubs. The away side has not won in the last nine matches in total, since Blackburn’s 4-0 victory at St Andrews in December 2003.
    • 15:40 They have met 12 times in the Premier League. Birmingham City have won four, Blackburn Rovers five and there have been three draws.
    • 15:40 Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers have met 104 times in the league. Birmingham City have won 39, Blackburn Rovers 41 and there have been 24 draws.
    • 15:40 The Blues are unbeaten in their last 15 PL home matches since losing 2-1 to Bolton Wanderers in September 2009. This is longest run without a home defeat in the top flight in 54 years since a 16-match streak from April to December 1956. If they avoid defeat today they will equal this second-longest ever unbeaten home streak – set from February to November 1937 and April to December 1956.
    • 15:39 Birmingham have won only two of their previous six opening Premier League home matches. However, they did win their first PL home match of last season – a 1-0 victory against Portsmouth in August 2009.
    • 15:33 Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Givet, El-Hadji Diouf, Jones, Olsson, Pedersen, Nzonzi, Kalinic. Subs: Bunn, Jacobsen, Emerton, Hoilett, Judge, Morris, Mame Diouf.
    • 15:33 Birmingham: Foster, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Larsson, Ferguson, Gardner, McFadden, Jerome, Zigic. Subs: Taylor, Murphy, Bowyer, O'Connor, Derbyshire, Michel, Fahey.
    • 15:31 This afternoon's referee is Michael Oliver of Northumberland. Team news to follow...
    • 15:29 A very good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of Birmingham v Blackburn.

  • Summary

    • 90+5 Jerome almost scores as an own goal as he defends a corner.
    • 90+2' City almost make it 3-1, but Robinson does well to save a fierce volley from Derbyshire.
    • 85' Decent curling effort from El-Hadji Diouf out wide on the left is well gathered by Foster.
    • 79' Ridgewell fires a shot down the throat of Robinson.
    • 77' Brilliant last ditch tackle from Salgado as Derbyshire pulled the trigger.
    • 76' Great defensive header from Dann. Cross from El-Hadji Diouf would have been right on the head of Mame Diouf had it not been for his intervention.
    • 75' Foster flaps at a cross, but is let off and manages to claim at the third attempt.
    • 71' GGGOOOAALLL!!! 2-1 to City!
    • 62' How did that one stay out? Rovers so close to taking the lead. Gamst Pedersen puts a cross on Kalinic's head, but he can only guide his effort against the post with Foster motionless.
    • 59' Foster makes another good save. Kalinic cuts in from the right and drills a low shot at goal which the goalkeeper does well to get down to and save.
    • 57' Deep ball into the box is volleyed across goal by James McFadden for Gardner, who volleys into an empty net from close range.
    • 57' GGGOOOAALLLLLLL!!!! 1-1 City level.
    • 54' Gamst Pedersen stood up a cross to the near post and Nzonzi got in front of Scott Dann to head past a stranded Foster.
    • 54' GGGOOOOAALLL!!! 1-0 to Rovers.
    • 53' Another good save from Foster. Gamst Pedersen's long throw was headed goal wards by Steven Nzonzi, but the goalkeeper did well to tip it over.
    • 52' Gardner hits a teasing cross to the back post, but it's just ahead of his team-mates.
    • 50' FANTASTIC save from Foster! Brilliant. The England keeper dives to his left to divert Gamst Pedersen's penalty on to the bar.
    • 49' Penalty to Blackburn!
    • 48' Gardner is in the thick of the action again, dragging a shot wide of the post.
    • 46' Gardner clips a ball to the back post and Michel Salgado does brilliantly to head the ball out for a corner with a City player lurking behind him, waiting to pounce.
    • 45+1' Kalinic breaks down the left, cuts inside and beats Ridgewell, but Johnson does well to come back and sweep up.
    • 44' Rovers applying some pressure at the end of the half. Diouf sees another shot blocked by a Birmingham defender.
    • 42' Pace of the game has picked up again. It's end to end. Gardner feeds off Jerome, but Rovers shackle the threat and then the visitors fly up the other end and Diouf cuts inside before having his shot blocked.
    • 39' Larsson feeds Craig Gardner and he drives at the heart of the Rovers defence, before firing a shot wide of the goal from distance.
    • 35' Kalinic gets himself in a good position inside the Birmingham 18 yard box, but miscues his shot and it goes harmlessly wide.
    • 29' Great save from Robinson. Corner from the left by Larsson finds Ridgewell loping into the six yard box. His header is straight at the former Spurs custodian, but he shows great reflexes to turn the ball over the bar. Best chance of the game so far.
    • 22' Free kick from Gamst Pedersen on the right channel is turned goalwards by Christopher Samba and Foster scrambles across his goal to save and concede a corner. From resulting set piece Rovers win a second corner, which is well gathered by Foster.
    • 19' Alex McLeish is barking at his players from the touchline, while Big Sam looks like an FBI agent nattering away into his mouthpiece at his coaching staff in the dugout.
    • 17' Free kick from Gamst Pedersen flies across the face of goal. Excellent delivery.
    • 16' Blackburn have shaded the opening quarter of an hour.
    • 15' The action has been fast and furious so far at St Andrews. Very high tempo to the game - both teams are out to win this match. There's no sense of caution.
    • 12' Long kick down field from Robinson lands into a cluster of players inside the Birmingham box and Foster has to battle to punch it clear. Lucky for him it falls to a fellow City player and they clear their lines.
    • 9' Corner is cleared to Diouf 25 yards from goal and he unleashes a fierce shot that fizzes over the bar.
    • 9' Roger Johnson does well to block a shot from Martin Olsson. Corner to Rovers.
    • 8' Liam Ridgewell welcomes Diouf to St Andrews with an industrial strength challenge. Free kick is given.
    • 5' Stephen Carr fires a shot into the stands from 20 yards out.
    • 4' Fast counter from Rovers. Nikola Kalinic almost finds Morten Gamst Pedersen bursting through the centre, but Ben Foster is quick off his line and smothers the ball.
    • 3' Corner for Birmingham. Sebastian Larsson swings it in, but Rovers clear.
    • 2' El-Hadji Diouf swings in a cross from the right that is well collected by Ben Foster. Bright start from both teams.
    • 16:01 How will Nikola Zigic fair on his first appearance at St Andrews?
    • 16:00 Blackburn will be looking to build on their opening day win against Everton, while Birmingham will be in the hunt for their first three points of the season after their 2-2 draw with Sunderland.
    • 15:53 The visitor's French defender Gael Givet is set to make his 50th Premeir League appearance.
    • 15:52 Rovers have won all three previous Premier League matches in which striker Nikola Kalinic has scored.
    • 15:52 Blackburn came from behind to win four Premier League matches last season – the equal-most comeback wins in the division, level with Everton and Chelsea.
    • 15:52 Blackburn picked up 32 points from 19 Premier League matches in 2010 – the equal-seventh best record in the division with Aston Villa this year, and more points than Liverpool (31) and today’s opponents Birmingham City (19).
    • 15:51 Blackburn won their last Premier League visit to the city of Birmingham – a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa on May 9. This is their only Premier League victory in the city in the last ten visits.
    • 15:51 In two of the previous three seasons Blackburn have won their first away match of the season – 2-1 at Middlesbrough (2007) and 3-2 at Everton (2008).
    • 15:50 If Blackburn win today it will be only the second time in PL history they have won their opening two matches of the season, and the first since the 1997-98 season. They eventually finished in 11th place in the division.
    • 15:49 Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has lost four of his previous five Premier League visits to St Andrews – his only victory was Bolton’s 2-1 win in January 2005.
    • 15:48 Stephen Carr is set to make his 50th league appearance for Birmingham City.
    • 15:43 Cameron Jerome has scored four goals in the last five Premier League meetings between these clubs.
    • 15:43 Birmingham came from 2-0 down to pick up a point at Sunderland in their opening Premier League match of the season. They came from behind to draw on six occasions in the Premier League last season – only Manchester City (8) came from behind to draw on more occasions in the 2009-10 season.
    • 15:41 Birmingham have won their last four PL home matches against Blackburn since the 4-0 defeat in December 2003. This is the club’s longest ever run of consecutive PL home victories against another club.
    • 15:41 Blackburn have scored in each of their last 22 top flight matches against Birmingham, since a 1-0 away defeat in April 1960.
    • 15:41 The home side has won each of the last seven Premier League meetings between these clubs. The away side has not won in the last nine matches in total, since Blackburn’s 4-0 victory at St Andrews in December 2003.
    • 15:40 They have met 12 times in the Premier League. Birmingham City have won four, Blackburn Rovers five and there have been three draws.
    • 15:40 Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers have met 104 times in the league. Birmingham City have won 39, Blackburn Rovers 41 and there have been 24 draws.
    • 15:40 The Blues are unbeaten in their last 15 PL home matches since losing 2-1 to Bolton Wanderers in September 2009. This is longest run without a home defeat in the top flight in 54 years since a 16-match streak from April to December 1956. If they avoid defeat today they will equal this second-longest ever unbeaten home streak – set from February to November 1937 and April to December 1956.
    • 15:39 Birmingham have won only two of their previous six opening Premier League home matches. However, they did win their first PL home match of last season – a 1-0 victory against Portsmouth in August 2009.
    • 15:33 Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Givet, El-Hadji Diouf, Jones, Olsson, Pedersen, Nzonzi, Kalinic. Subs: Bunn, Jacobsen, Emerton, Hoilett, Judge, Morris, Mame Diouf.
    • 15:33 Birmingham: Foster, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Larsson, Ferguson, Gardner, McFadden, Jerome, Zigic. Subs: Taylor, Murphy, Bowyer, O'Connor, Derbyshire, Michel, Fahey.
    • 15:31 This afternoon's referee is Michael Oliver of Northumberland. Team news to follow...
    • 15:29 A very good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of Birmingham v Blackburn.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

    • Starting line-up

      • B. Foster
      • S. Carr
      • R. Johnson
      • S. Dann
      • L. Ridgewell
      • C. Gardner Goals×2 Substitution Out (83′)
      • B. Ferguson
      • S. Larsson Yellow Card
      • J. McFadden Substitution Out (78′)
      • C. Jerome
      • N. Žigic Yellow Card Substitution Out (67′)

      Subs

      • L. Bowyer Substitution In78′
      • M. Taylor
      • D. Murphy
      • G. O'Connor
      • M. Derbyshire Substitution In67′
      • K. Fahey Substitution In83′
      • Míchel

    • Starting line-up

      • P. Robinson
      • Míchel Salgado
      • C. Samba
      • R. Nelsen Yellow Card
      • G. Givet Substitution Out (74′)
      • S. N'Zonzi Goal Yellow Card
      • M. Gamst Pedersen
      • E. Diouf
      • P. Jones Substitution Out (64′)
      • M. Olsson
      • N. Kalinic Substitution Out (84′)

      Subs

      • B. Emerton Substitution In64′
      • L. Jacobsen
      • D. Hoilett Substitution In84′
      • M. Bunn
      • A. Judge
      • M. Diouf Substitution In74′ Yellow Card
      • J. Morris

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      - -
      Defenders
      - -
      - -
      - -
      - -
      Midfielders
      Goals ×2 Substitution Out83′ - -
      - -
      Yellow Card - -
      Substitution Out78′ - -
      Strikers
      - -
      Yellow Card Substitution Out67′ - -
      Subs
      Substitution In78′ - -
      Substitution In67′ - -
      Substitution In83′ - -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      - -
      Defenders
      - -
      - -
      Yellow Card - -
      Substitution Out74′ - -
      Midfielders
      Goal Yellow Card - -
      - -
      - -
      Substitution Out64′ - -
      - -
      Strikers
      Substitution Out84′ - -
      Subs
      Substitution In64′ - -
      Substitution In84′ - -
      Substitution In74′ Yellow Card - -

Comment 1 - 17 of 17

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  1. Craigy Gardner is a Blue he hates Villa, what a legend,­ brilliant game of Football, three fantastic Goals,­ brilliant penalty save from Ben Foster and a wonderful­ three points, Come on you Blues, Keep Right On.

    From nicolasschwartz15, on Sun 27 Feb 0:50
  2. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Birmingham you were LUCKY!!!!!

    From Barry, on Sun 22 Aug 13:37

  3. I am pleased for Big Eck ex Rangers Manager. And for­ Fergie in midfield, i wonder how the entire Rangers­ team would fair in this league. One day maybe we may­ see!!! Well done. True blues do well anywhere!!!!

    From THOMAS, on Sun 22 Aug 7:34

  4. get rid of that @#$% sam,or you will be going­ down..........

    From PAUL, on Sun 22 Aug 7:06

  5. Come on Birmingham, i have you to win 3-1, this is our­ season, we'll beat...most teams but not the really­ good ones!!!

    From Diane, on Sun 22 Aug 6:48

  6. What can you expect when that fat idiot Allerdyce is in­ charge; always was so far up his rear end and he­ couldn't manage to save his life.

    From bobby, on Sun 22 Aug 6:38

  7. What did i say last week!!!!!!!!!!!.Kalanic 6 yrds out­ hits the post what a waste of space hits more woodwork­ than a canadian logger for gods sake find a bloody­ striker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From steve f, on Sun 22 Aug 6:24

  8. Good game Ben Foster, your filling Harts shoes no­ probs. Keep right on!

    From Pete, on Sun 22 Aug 6:22

  9. come on rovers give us agoal

    From Brendan Doran, on Sun 22 Aug 5:45

  10. watchlivefootystream has been blocked !

    Blues should­ thrash these weak northeners.

    From Owl., on Sun 22 Aug 5:42
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    take the point rovers

    From kidd, on Sun 22 Aug 5:40

  12. Come on Rovers! We can win this. Keep the ball, pass­ and move, pass and move. Excellent cross from Pedersen,­ Kalinic on the volley, GOAL!

    From alexander, on Sun 22 Aug 5:27

  13. go rovers go

    From marionlivesey18, on Sun 22 Aug 5:20

  14. From shapsy in Canada GO BLACKBURN GO 3--1 ROVERS

    From shapsy77, on Sun 22 Aug 5:14

  15. c

    From john, on Sun 22 Aug 4:50

  16. Come on Blues!

    From bcfc7, on Sun 22 Aug 4:29

  17. why not zigic in 1st eleven.....

    From Supervise, on Sun 22 Aug 1:38
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