Swansea 0, Birmingham City 0: Colin Tattum's big match verdict
Blues couldn’t get enough players forward themselves quickly to pin Swansea back, all the traffic was going towards Maik Taylor’s goal.
Bookings for Murphy, Lee Carsley and Parnaby were due to frustration. Swansea had got under Blues’ skin and Blues’ fans, some of who may not have been aware of the quality of the Welsh side’s football, at least on the eye, booed at the interval whistle.
The second half had a tired look about it as the exertions of two games in three days took its toll.
Certainly Blues were weary and apart from a dart down the middle by James McFadden, who was thwarted right at the last as he was preparing to get his shot away, there was little mustered to trouble Doures De Vries.
Jason Scotland was brought on by Swansea to spearhead their play and eight minutes later, when Murphy was dismissed, Blues were right up against it.
Murphy flew in to tackle Jordi Gomez as he broke on the right side and unceremoniously took his legs from under him.
It was just on the edge of the penalty area and although Blues were spared in that respect, Murphy wasn’t – referee Mike Riley was straight over to brandish the red card for a second bookable offence.
Blues had been preparing to bring Quincy on, and still went ahead with the substitution despite being reduced in number.
Marcus Bent was also withdrawn, to huge ironic cheers, and Cameron Jerome detailed to plough the lone furrow up front.
And a chance came Jerome’s way almost instantly but he lashed the ball wide from a right angle.
Blues had been crying out for these two and their pace for most of the game as they got into a rut whereby they were too occupied in stopping Swansea than taking it to them.
It was all Blues could do to hang on, and Carsley’s example was that of a Trojan.
He stopped Gorka Pintado in his tracks with a super sliding tackle when a goal appeared likely, and he was always there getting in the way and clearing up.
Scotland certainly livened Swansea up and he completely miscued from 15 yards after Blues’ defence was breached and also fired a left-footer that flashed just wide of the far post.
In the last minute Swansea thought they had got reward for their efforts when Febian Brandy went clear but Taylor pulled off a tremendous save at this feet.
The ball popped out to Scotland with the goal at his mercy but fortunately a heavy touch on it allowed Parnaby the opportunity to hammer it clear.
That proved to be the last act – and scare – for Blues, who showed they have the habit to defend strongly and resolutely when the mood requires, but struggle to engineer much themselves to lift the spirits.
