Blues Battle For A Point

By Aydan
February 2 2006

Birmingham City battled for a point at the home of the European Champions Liverpool. A late own goal by Xavi Alonso cancelled out a Steven Gerrard goal and gave Steve Bruce's men a memorable night out at Anfield.

Birmingham City took a share of the spoils back down the motorway after a dramatic late equiliser denied Liverpool all three points.

A magnificent defensive performance by the Blues kept them in touch with West Brom who had 24 hours earlier earned a point away to Charlton.

It started brightly for Blues with some promising attacking football with David Dunn, Chris Sutton, Emile Heskey and Jermaine Pennant all looking lively in the Liverpool half. Blues were unlucky not to get an early chance as Emile Heskey was caught offside three times as Steve Bruce's men threatened Jose Reina's goal.

Heskey almost made ammends when he collected an awful clearance from Liverpool debutant Dan Agger. Heskey layed the ball off to Chris Sutton who should of done better as his weak shot was easily saved by Reina.

After an excellent start it all started to turn against Blues on 28 minutes. Damien Johnson challenged Dan Agger for the ball in the centre of the pitch and, although seeming to get a touch on the ball, was instantly shown the red card by Uriah Rennie for a dangerous challenge.

Just minutes later David Dunn was substituted with a suspected calf injury. Dunn was replaced by Lazaridis as Liverpool pushed forwards looking to take advantage of ten man Birmingham. Chris Sutton dropped back into midfield and left Emile Heskey up front on his own.

In the second half, as expected, Liverpool took control of the game and were constantly camped in the blues half. Apart from the occasional break from the excellent Jermaine Pennant, the Blues looked unlikely to score.

The enevitable happened just past the hour mark when Steven Gerrard put the ball past Maik Taylor. Gerrard collected a neat ball from Fernando Morientes before striking a low shot that took a deflection off new boy Martin Latka before finding the goal.

The celebrations continued for Liverpool as Robbie Fowler made his return to Anfield, replacing Peter Crouch just after the goal.

Liverpool continued to press with Blues hitting the European Champions on the break whenever they could. Maik Taylor was kept busy in the Blues goal as Morientes, Alonso and Agger all went close, but Blues hung on and the impressive Matty Upson and Martin Latka continued to frustrate the Liverpool attack.

Blues began to push on in the last five minutes as they threw men forward to try and salvage a point. Chris Sutton pushed forward to join Heskey in attack and Oliview Tebilly came on for the injured Neil Kilkenny.

On 86 minutes Stan Lazaridis did well to intercept a long pass by Harry Kewell on the half way line. The Aussie then proceeded to bring the ball forwards before producing a wonderful cross which found Emile Heskey unmarked in the Liverpool area. Heskey met the ball with a good header but Reina made a world class save to push the ball around the post.

The travelling Blues fans urged their players forward for the resulting corner and Jermaine Pennant's cross was met by Heskey again who this time headed the ball down towards the foot of the goal. Incredibly Liverpool's Xavi Alonso tried to chest the header back to his goalkeeper but instead found the back of his own net. Sutton and Latka led the celebrations in front of a delirious travelling contingent.

With the Blues fans in full voice, it was time for Liverpool to really test their nerves as they pressed for a late winner.

Maik Taylor produced a superb save from an Alonso free kick and Liverpool hit the cross bar twice in the dying minutes but ten man Birmingham somehow managed to hold on. Robbie Fowler did eventually put the ball in the net with a tidy overhead kick, but the striker was well offside, much to the delight of the Birmingham fans.

Uriah Rennie finally blew the whistle, probably the best thing he had done all night, and the Blues celebrated a memorable point against all odd's on Merseyside.

For the ecstatic Birmingham fans even a two hour delay on the M62 due to roadworks failed to dampen their spirits on a great night at Anfield.

Full Time: Liverpool 1 Birmingham City 1