Birmingham City 1, Fulham 0: Colin Tattum's match stats and player ratings
HART 7
Seems sharper, more decisive and aggressive. Handled well in the wet, made stops when needed.
CARR 8
Best comeback from retirement since Sinatra. Pugnacious, well positioned, swift to halt danger.
RIDGEWELL 7
Might not favour left-back but turned in dogged, game shift. Positive and combative.
R JOHNSON 8
Becoming totemic figure in the heat of the battle. Fierce warrior who relished the rearguard task.
DANN 7
Made couple of sliced clearances but stayed unperturbed. Competed strongly.
LARSSON 7
Didn’t exact defining influence but never wavered in a reliable turn of duty up and down flank.
FERGUSON 7
Quietly and subtly went about work busying about. Played ball generally with care.
MAN OF THE MATCH: BOWYER 8
All-action, highly efficient and annoying for opposition in all departments.
McFADDEN 7
Sought to generate spark and although not everything came off, did bit for the cause.
JEROME 6
Frustrating afternoon, unable to get into stride or rhythm to upset defence regularly.
BENITEZ 6
Odd nice link and showed willing but ended up with not much joy either.
SUBSTITUTES:
Fahey (for Benitez, 71) joined rearguard action, did okay 6
Not used: Carsley, Phillips, McSheffrey, Vignal, Mutch, Maik Taylor.
FULHAM (4-4-2): Schwarzer, Kelly (Duff, 74), Konchesky, Hughes, Hangeland, Davies, Baird (Etuhu, 81), Greening, Gera, Dempsey, Zamora. Not used: E Johnson, Zuberbuhler, Pantsil, Riise, Smalling.
BOOKINGS: Bowyer (foul, 70) – Blues.
CROWD WATCH 6
Stayed with Blues throughout on damp, dank day. Attendance: 23,659.
REF WATCH 7
C Foy (Merseyside): Hardly noticed, fine.
THE MANAGER 8
Alex McLeish made the right moves and not so pig-headed that he did remove Johnson.
GAME RATING 5
Largely forgettable but you have to admire Blues’ tenacity.
INJURY WATCH
Johnson was. Then wasn’t.
WHO’S NEXT UP FOR BLUES?
Wolves (a) Sunday, noon.
