Birmingham blow lead to draw 2-2 against Liverpool
Saturday, 26 Apr 2008 18:03
McLeish's Birmingham throw away lead
Birmingham City let slip a 2-0 lead to take just one point from their clash with
Liverpool at St Andrews.
The Blues went into the crunch tie lying one point adrift of safety in the relegation zone while the visitors, who rested Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, needed just one point to ensure Champions League football next season.
However, such a gap was hardly apparent as the hosts had the better of the opening exchanges and, after some early pressure, Mikael Fossell eventually broke the deadlock, latching on to a brilliant James McFadden cross at the far post and finishing low into the corner past Pepe Reina.
Liverpool then felt hard done by as Birmingham doubled their lead, with Sami Hyypia in particular incensed at the way Radhi Jaidi jumped around in front of Reina's goal as Sebastian Larsson marked his return to the side with an exquisite curling free kick from just outside the box.
Peter Crouch managed to pull a goal back for Liverpool before Yossi
Benayoun's header was deflected into the Birmingham goal to all-but-guarantee fourth place in the league for Liverpool, while Alex McLeish's team's relegation worries continue.
Fellow strugglers Bolton also secured a point after Stelios Giannakopoulos grabbed a messy goal at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham, who were by far the better side, equalised through Steed Malbranque, though their lack of imagination makes the recent signing of Luka Modric look all the more significant.
At the Stadium of Light,
Sunderland grabbed a late goal to beat local rivals
Middlesbrough 3-2.
Tuncay's early goal for the visitors was cancelled out by a Danny Higginbottom, while Michael Chopra gave Roy Keane's men the lead just before half time.
Afonso Alves looked to have given Boro a point before substitute Daryl Murphy headed in a winner in injury time.
Newcastle also came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with West Ham at Upton Park and carry on their resurgence under Kevin Keegan, while Wigan took a vital point from their 0-0 draw at home to
Reading.