Birmingham 0 Manchester United 0
Birmingham City claimed their first ever Premiership point off Manchester
United in a game of few clearcut opportunities at St Andrews.
Blues, who were without five senior players through injury, matched the Red
Devils for long periods as they extended their unbeaten run to five games.
David Dunn was impressive, particularly in the first half before running out
of steam in his second start in eight months, while Robbie Savage was an
increasingly influential figure.
Blues manager Steve Bruce would also have been encouraged by the way that
Emile Heskey and Dwight Yorke appear to be gelling up front in only their second
start together.
That will be crucial to City's aspirations after the loss of Mikael Forssell
and Clinton Morrison through injury.
United fielded an ultra attacking line-up and in the second period had all
four of their strikers on the pitch.
But, apart from one first half effort by Ruud van Nistelrooy, they seldom
looked like finding a way through the home defence in which Matthew Upson was
impressive.
But equally the return of Rio Ferdinand has brought a more solid look about
the United back four and, with the exception of a couple of close scares
courtesy of Emile Heskey, they restricted Blues to half chances.
Birmingham began promisingly and Yorke got on the end of an inswinging cross
from Dunn but was at full stretch when sending his header over the bar.
Yorke had another half chance when Dunn turned a low cross from Mario Melchiot
into his path but his shot on the turn was blocked and Roy Carroll was able to
save easily.
Van Nistelrooy held of Upson's challenge before having his first effort on
goal but his curling effort did not trouble Taylor.
A mis-hit shot from Dunn almost played in Yorke but his first touch was not
sharp enough and the ball ran through to Carroll.
Birmingham creating the better opportunities early on and Carroll went down to
his right to parry away a left-footed drive from Heskey after he had combined
with Yorke.
Then Dunn made good ground into the United area to send a header wide from a
lowish cross from Jesper Gronkjaer who up until then had been giving the ball
away far too easily.
It was 32 minutes before United had a shot on target and then Taylor easily
dealt with a 25 yard effort from Ronaldo above his head.
The clearest opportunity of the opening 45 minutes fell to van Nistelrooy
after 37 minutes when he timed his run perfectly to meet a cross from Quinton
Fortune.
He side-footed the ball goal-bound from six yards out but Taylor reacted well
to block the shot with his feet.
United were starting to look more of a threat and Taylor kept out a fierce
effort from a narrow angle by Ronaldo who had been played in by Keane.
Bruce brought off the ineffective Gronkjaer at half-time and gave a first
taste of Premiership action at Birmingham to Darren Anderton.
Savage became the first player to be yellow-carded in the 50th minute for a
challenge on Keane.
After 59 minutes Ferguson made his first change, introducing Wayne Rooney in
place of Kleberson which meant he had all four of his strikers on the pitch.
Savage was having more and more of an impact and one through ball played in
Heskey whose low shot was blocked by Carroll.
A Saha volley collected by Taylor was the nearest that either side came to
breaking the deadlock after that and a point apiece was the right outcome.
Teams
Birmingham Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Cunningham, Upson, Gray,
Johnson (Tebily 90), Dunn, Savage, Gronkjaer (Anderton 45),
Heskey, Yorke (Clapham 90).
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Martin Taylor.
Booked: Savage.
Man Utd Carroll, Gary Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Fortune,
Smith, Kleberson (Rooney 59), Keane, Ronaldo (Scholes 77),
Saha, van Nistelrooy.
Subs Not Used: Phil Neville, O'Shea, Ricardo.
Att: 29,221
Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).
