Birmingham City 2, Sunderland 1: Colin Tattum's big match verdict
Oct 26 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail
Trevor Francis looked on from the Main Stand gantry, on duty for Sky Sports, after a meet and greet with the new owners in the boardroom. But for all the fascinating sub-plots and the lift in mood due to a change in ownership, what mattered most was what always matters – events on the pitch.
Blues’ goals, in an 11-minute spell either side of half-time, were well merited.
Benitez, a clever, will-o’-the-wisp character, and the relentlessly willing Jerome unsettled Sunderland’s defence. Sebastian Larsson was in souped-up mode and Blues enjoyed a stranglehold.
The breakthrough, a pinball goal from Liam Ridgewell after Larsson’s viciously-dipping free-kick from the left came off Jerome and hit him, provided extra shots of confidence and assurance that Blues were already playing with.
Then, in the 48th minute, Jerome executed samba skills with a volleyed back-heel flick to set up McFadden, who took the ball eagerly, stepped inside Phil Bardsley and slithered a careful shot with his right foot past Craig Gordon.
Blues were comfortable until Bruce and Eric Black convened a pow-wow for a few minutes in the technical area and a triple substitution was the outcome.
Sunderland, with Fraizer Campbell on the right wing adding thrust and Kieran Richardson moved from left-back to midfield, woke up and came after Blues.
Jerome and McFadden, both of whom were feeling it a bit having not had much football following lay-offs, were replaced by Garry O’Connor and Gary McSheffrey and the match began to lurch and loll from end to end.
Joe Hart’s concerning inability to deal aggressively and with certainty to crossed balls surfaced not for the first time as Michael Turner beat him to Andy Reid’s free-kick.
The glance might have gone wide but Scott Dann, flying towards goal trying to hook away, hoisted the ball high into the net.
There were eight minutes left and Blues were forced to summon up resources of belligerence and bloody-mindedness as Campbell headed over from close range and Darren Bent slammed a sidefoot volley which just shaved the far post.
Yet there were still openings to have killed it off emphatically. McSheffrey was in the thick of it in both boxes and only a fine stop by Gordon in the 90th minute meant the anxiety levels continued into stoppage time.
When the final whistle went there were roars of relief and approval from around the ground and, in the directors’ box, Yeung’s camp clapped, cheered, embraced and high-fived like it was, well, Chinese New Year.
Clearly, they have been bitten by the bug and should such over-enthusiasm continue – channelled in the right way – then it all bodes well.
