Birmingham City 1, Manchester United 1: Colin Tattum's big match verdict
Jan 11 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail
IF THE mark of a decent side is one that can overcome adversity, get a grip on itself and then make life very hard for a much more lauded opponent – all over the course of 90 minutes – then Blues are a decent side.
In fact, they are better than decent, as we know by now, yet, in many respects, still a work in progress too.
It was in 1978 when Blues last beat Manchester United, 23 games ago, and they came fairly close here.
And that was after recovering from a shoddy, panicky first half that was as uncharacteristic and perplexing as it was worrying when it unfolded.
Scott Dann’s own goal gave United their equaliser after the break and the circumstances surrounding it were laced with confusion and controversy.
In the end, Sir Alex Ferguson was satisfied that United were able to leave St Andrew’s with a point.
He knows things are stirring down B9 and has not held back in his admiration for what Blues and Alex McLeish have been doing this season.
And afterwards he said that McLeish’s charges ran “100 miles for him’’, neatly encapsulating just what Blues are all about in this first campaign after the last promotion from the Championship.
It is now 12 league games without defeat for Blues – which broke a 101-year-old record for the elite level – and 13 including the FA Cup.
The way the game started, it didn’t look too good.
United, clearly on a mission after their shock FA Cup defeat to Leeds United and public criticism from Ferguson, were on the front foot.
Interestingly, Ferguson picked a 4-5-1, either a damning indictment of his players or a significant nod of respect to Blues, a tricky place to go at the best of times, let alone when the hosts are confident and it is one of those freezing, levelling nights.
No matter, they dominated Blues, who were puzzling due to a lack of conviction, composure and too many misplaced passes and general raggedness.
Yet, from their first meaningful attack they got a corner and scored, Cameron Jerome sweeping in the ball that came back off Jonny Evans after Lee Bowyer had dived to head it back into the danger area.
A healthy debate and acceptance of a drop in standards followed during the interval in the home dressing room – which seems to be a usual topic on the agenda of late – and Blues, as McLeish said, were “a different animal’’ in the second half.
They were organised, more assertive, aggressive and assured. They not only produced the usual hearty, gutsy and bloody-minded defensive action – throwing their bodies and heads in here, there and everywhere – but provided scary moments for United.
