Saints suffer Birmingham Blues

Last updated : 21 April 2003 By Christian Kelly

Unlike the game against Leeds, the game at St. Andrews began quite evenly. In fact it was Paul Jones, in the Southampton goal,l who had the first real save to make. The Welsh international tipped a vicious right footed effort form Brian Hughes round the post.

Dugarry created Birmingham's second chance getting on the end of a freekick ahead of his marker James Beattie. Fortunately, the ball went wide, but Birmingham were staring to get on top of the game.

Robbie Savage was the next Birmingham player to get a chance. Savage was through one on one with Paul Jones. As Savage decided on a course of action, Michael Svensson managed to get in a recovery tackle. The referee didn't give a penalty leaving Savage looking to the sky in disbelief.

Christophe Dugarry's shot ricocheted off of Paul Telfer's calf to go out for a corner. Telfer's block was the only thing which prevented Birmingham going one up.

Dugarry's next effort involved him rounded three players in the Saints defence before unleashing a powerful shot which Jones saved. Telfer almost put it in his own net as Birmingham flashed the ball across the face of the Saints goal in the same minute.

After such a good run, Saints were trying to cope with being under a concerted spell of pressure.

Saints finally got a shot in on the Birmingham goal after twenty minutes as Prutton forced Bennett to claim the ball at the second attempt.

Birmingham continued to pile on the pressure with Dugarry's effort going across the face of the Saints goal once again with a volley.

Despite the all the Birmingham pressure, it was Saints who went one up through Anders Svensson.
Saints broke away with Jones goal kick and Beattie got the ball into Anders whose flick went past Bennett.

Beattie almost made it two, after Beattie got on the end of Fernandes' cross to head the ball across the goal.

As Birmingham raced up to the other end, it took Claus Lundekvam to prevent Horsfield from making more of his shot.

Birmingham tried desperately to get back into the game, their best chance coming on forty minutes when Paul Jones failed to collect the ball and Dugarry hooked over in a crowded box.

Jones failed to collect again a minute later, but Saints managed to defend the situation well although they were inviting pressure on their goal before half time.

Ormerod replaced Delap at the start of the second half as Saints reverted to their usual shape. The game was a fairly even contest. Dugarry had another attempted volley go well wide as Saints looked to contain Birmingham from any further attacking spells.

Matt Oakley managed to prevent Horsfield from getting an equaliser for Birmingham after fifty five minutes after a fortunate break for the home side.

Birmingham continued to push as many forward as much as possible, Saints not being helped by errors from Jones and Beattie at the back.

Christophe Dugarry finally got his team back on level terms from a well taken freekick which Jones only got a hand to. Strachan will be disappointed that his defence couldn't have keep it out.

With so much Birmingham possession Saints had to get themselves organised to stay in the game.

Even though Fabrice Fernandes went off for Higginbotham, it was Saints who got a second against the run of play. Bridge's ball in was knocked down my Michael Svensson and Brett Ormerod slotted it past Bennett to restore the Saints lead.

Saints lead only lasted a few minutes as Geoff Horsfield found himself in space behind the Saints defence. Horsfield got the ball across to Brian Hughes before Saints could respond and Hughes levelled the game, putting the ball past Jones.

Birmingham went into the lead for the first time in the game a minute later as Dugarry headed the ball past Paul Jones from John's cross.

Strachan brought on Jo Tessem to try and get a point from the game. Oakley had a decent shot on the Birmingham goal.

At the other end, Geoff Horsfield almost ended the game as a contest as his shot went narrowly wide of the Saints goal.

Birmingham managed to hold onto the lead leaving Saints frustrated at the curious linesman's decision which allowed Horsfield to be ruled onside.

In the end a win was no more than Birmingham deserved. They clearly wanted the victory more badly than the Saints. Southampton had a few good performances among the Birmingham pressure. With the return of Niemi and Dodd to the back line, there's a lot to be hopeful about.