Watford 0, Birmingham City 1: Colin Tattum's big match verdict

Apr 20 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

McLeish decided on James McFadden for his first 90 minutes since the end of December and, with Djimi Traore as insurance on the bench – just as well as it transpired – Eck’s plan came together.

Watford opted for 4-1-4-1, which made it difficult for Blues to find a way through once they had possession. But Blues were the more purposeful, sprightly and dangerous side in an opening period that was promising without quite being rewarding.

Scott Loach kept Watford in it with some good saves, particularly from Sebastian Larsson and Lee Bowyer.

Once Grzegorz Rasiak came on after the half-time interval and Watford shook off a protective attitude, Blues began to be put on the back foot and struggled to cause alarm and panic.

In the 63rd minute, one of those key moments arrived that shape a game when Rasiak rose to Jobi McAnuff’s cross and glanced a header that was drifting just inside the post before Colin Doyle intervened at full stretch, diving back on himself and to the right to palm it away.

Phillips, then Jerome, entered the action and another key moment was forthcoming – the goal.

Damien Johnson, who was perpetual motion, broke up play and sent Jerome scuttling away down the left, if a tad wide, nonetheless into a promising position. Jerome checked back on to his right foot, delayed his shot once, then let fly, getting a deflection off Ross Jenkins’ outstretched leg that helped beat Loach.

Thereafter Watford’s belief fractured and Blues were not going to relinquish what they had, so dear it was.

Although the demands of the day took its toll by the end – Franck Queudrue and David Murphy were hobbling, the former having to make way for Traore – Blues appeared more likely to add to their tally if anything.

After all Blues have gone through the past fortnight – from the crunch game against Wolves, forcing results with 10 men, hopeless referees and losing Liam Ridgewell – this was a triumph for their fortitude, and Jerome’s happy knack.

And quite possibly it was a win that could define the spoils of the season to come.

Read the live blog and Colin Tattum's running report on the game