Blues continue Hammers hoodoo

Zigic's second-half header sends West Ham back to the bottom

Last updated: 6th February 2011   Subscribe to RSS Feed

David Bentley Scott Parker West Ham v Birmingham

Bentley and Parker tussle for the ball

West Ham v Birmingham Robbie Keane area

Keane juggles the ball as West Ham press for a goal

West Ham v Birmingham Nikola Zigic celeb

Zigic celebrates after scoring Birmingham's winner
Man of the match: David Bentley whose vision and distribution was excellent.
Goal of the game: Nikola Zigic climbed high at the far post to head in Seb Larsson's free-kick.
Moment of the match: Da Costa's late header was inches wide and could have turned the game on its head
Attempt of the match: Demba Ba's fierce shot struck the woodwork just moments after he had come on.
Save of the match: Ben Foster made a full length fingertip save to deny Manuel Da Costa
Talking point: Even with three strikers on for most of the second half, West Ham posed little threat and defender Da Costa looked the most dangerous.

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Birmingham City piled further misery on West Ham United as Nikola Zigic's second-half header secured a 1-0 win at Upton Park.

Fresh from reaching the Carling Cup final at West Ham's expense last month, Birmingham moved out of the Premier League's relegation zone and sent their opponents back to the bottom after a hard-fought success.

The Hammers had been the brighter of the two teams in the first half, but were made to pay for a slack piece of defending when Zigic met Sebastian Larsson's free-kick with 25 minutes to go.

The first half was bereft of any clear-cut chances, although West Ham new boy Robbie Keane volleyed over just before the break after skilful work in the box.

Birmingham improved after the interval after a lacklustre opening 45 minutes and made the decisive breakthrough on 65 minutes.

Substitute Larsson, whose future had been in doubt throughout the January transfer window, whipped in a free-kick to the far post and Zigic guided his header inside the upright.

West Ham tried to rally and came closest to snatching an equaliser through debutant Demba Ba with 13 minutes to go when his well-struck volley thundered back off the post.

Hammers boss Avram Grant, who was celebrating his 56th birthday, will now undoubtedly find his position come under scrutiny once more as a result of the defeat.

Troubled season

The Israeli went into the match knowing a victory would see West Ham record their first back-to-back league wins in what has been a troubled season so far.

Their attempts were hit by a calf injury to James Tomkins in the warm-up which meant an early recall for Matthew Upson, who had missed the midweek win over Blackpool with tendonitis.

The former Birmingham centre-half was paired with Winston Reid, who came in for the injured Danny Gabbidon

Cameron Jerome and Barry Ferguson both overcame ankle injuries to make a Birmingham team that was unchanged from Wednesday's 2-2 draw against Manchester City.

The match was a chance for the Londoners to avenge their Carling Cup semi-final exit to their Midlands rivals last month.

Ben Foster, whose howler gifted West Ham a first-leg lead in that tie, started nervously, punching an early Gary O'Neil cross clear when it was easier to catch.

The England goalkeeper came out to snatch the ball from Frederic Piquionne's feet after he was put through by the in-form Victor Obinna.

After a quiet opening 15 minutes, West Ham started to pressure the visitors' goal.

On-loan Tottenham striker Keane played Piquionne in with a clever backheel but the former Portsmouth striker could only fire a tame curler at Foster.

Obinna, who had scored five in his previous two matches, then struck a 25-yard effort just wide and Scott Parker threatened with a dangerous low cross that was hooked clear.

Robert Green was called into action for the first time when he collected a low shot from Lee Bowyer on the half-hour.

Jerome beat Green to a header from a corner soon after but the former Cardiff marksman could only glance wide.

Roger Johnson beat Piquionne to a cross but flashed a free header over the bar from 10 yards.

Johnson cut out a dangerous cross from Obinna with a superb diving header as Piquionne lurked at the back post.

A late sliding challenge on David Bentley from Mark Noble earned the Hammers midfielder a yellow card.

West Ham felt they should have had a penalty late on in the first half when Lars Jacobsen's strike hit Liam Ridgewell on the arm but referee Chris Foy turned down their appeal.

Obinna had an appeal for another spot-kick turned down moments later when his shot hit Johnson on the arm in the box and Keane volleyed over under pressure in stoppage-time.

Frustrated

Manuel da Costa came on for Upson at half-time to make his first appearance in three months.

Birmingham started the second period brightly and Bentley found the towering Zigic at the back post but he headed wide, much to Alex McLeish's frustration.

The Birmingham manager brought Larsson on for Jerome in the 57th minute and Grant replaced Piquionne with Carlton Cole soon after.

The West Ham crowd were getting frustrated with their team's scrappy play and their hopes were further dashed when Zigic gave Birmingham a 65th-minute lead.

The 30-year-old took advantage of some slack marking from Wayne Bridge to meet Larsson's free-kick at the back post and nod home from six yards for his second in two matches.

Grant looked to Demba Ba for inspiration, the Senegalese coming on to make his Hammers debut in place of Keane.

The former Hoffenheim striker almost made an immediate impact when he slammed a volley onto the woodwork after the ball ricocheted around the Birmingham box.

Da Costa almost caught Foster out with a fierce 35-yard shot but the Birmingham keeper scrambled across his line to save.

The defender was at the forefront of West Ham's late push for an equaliser as he headed just wide of Foster's goal from eight yards.

Parker slipped into the box in stoppage-time but was met by a sea of Birmingham defenders.

Obinna and Da Costa were booked for late challenges in injury time and West Ham's threat petered out, the game ending with a chorus of boos from the home crowd.

West Ham UnitedTeam StatisticsBirmingham City
0Goals1
01st Half Goals0
4Shots on Target2
7Shots off Target5
7Blocked Shots0
5Corners5
18Fouls13
2Offsides5
3Yellow Cards1
0Red Cards0
72.8Passing Success64
13Tackles23
92.3Tackles Success65.2
56.1Possession43.9
52.3Territorial Advantage47.7
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Comments (15)

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Samuel Davies (Birmingham City fan) says...

Bobby, we haven't had a red card in the league this season, we have one of the best disciplinary records. Also, Lee Bowyer, whilst not being a great player anymore, scored the winner against Chelsea this season if you remember? So who's laughing?

Posted 22:26 6th February 2011

Kurt Van roye (West Ham United fan) says...

Ridiculous: can anyone count how many goals we got on corner or free kick fases the last games...

Posted 21:24 6th February 2011

Leonard Shaw (Birmingham City fan) says...

poor game but what a result for the blues 3pts what ever way you get them can we play the bubbles next week please

Posted 19:13 6th February 2011

Bobby Giovanni (Chelsea fan) says...

Sorry to say but i think Birmingham City were very lucky to win today. Birmingham City is not a football team but a bunch of thugs, that is what won you the game today, thuggish gameplay. Lee Bowyer in your side? need i say more. I dont think West Ham or Birmingham City will stay up this season, i think that both teams are dead certs for relegation. I hope both of you enjoy the championship next year!

Posted 18:59 6th February 2011

James Long (West Ham United fan) says...

I'm fed up with Grant. Birmingham played a defensive game from the start and he never changed his tactics. So many hopeful long balls, no game plan, no ideas. Watching the touchline was interesting, while Mcleish shouts at his players and makes sure they don't get complacent Grant just stands their doing nothing. Grant if you're going to stand on the touchline there should be a point to it. I'm starting to find it hard top see how we will stay up. Last year we were saved by 3 poor teams but this year all the teams are looking strong.

Posted 18:28 6th February 2011

Christopher Gardner (West Ham United fan) says...

We could have 11 strikers on the pitch, but all the time we have Avram Grant in charge, there is only one place we are heading and that is the CHAMPIONSHIP, he has no passion and not a CLUE, EVEN IF WE HAD A 6-0 ,head start we would still end up losing!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Posted 18:03 6th February 2011

Rich G (Birmingham City fan) says...

Just come at the right time.... Maybe instead of WHU fans complaining about Birminghams "one game plan" of playing the long ball- you should be prepared for it, we've caught you out twice now in a matter of weeks! You're going down with the Baggies!!!

Posted 17:28 6th February 2011

Richard Cooke (Birmingham City fan) says...

Since watching Birmingham since 1975 and never seeing a game without being a little bit nervous, for a change I enjoyed the first 20 minutes of the second half, looking at it as an end-to-end scrap which might make good viewing for the neutral. I was pleased to see Zigic do what he's paid for. The last few minutes were nervous for me and I'm pleased with the vital 3 points. As for who we were playing, our recent history against them in the cup, who owns them now and where they used to be, it is immaterial.

Posted 17:18 6th February 2011

Phil Macup (Mansfield Town fan) says...

Seems Birmingham have only one tactic then! that must be to beat west ham lol!!!! Gold, Sully and Brady will take you down, sell half your team and replace them with lower quality players. Try and nick the Olympic Stadium and sell your ground to property developers. Then tell everyone what a wonderful job they are doing at west ham by reducing their debts. By the way they will keep grant so they dont have to pay him off.

Posted 17:10 6th February 2011

Jason Edwards (West Ham United fan) says...

What a joke!!!! Get Grant out now:-( before it to late if it's not all ready....

Posted 16:57 6th February 2011

John Doherty (Birmingham City fan) says...

Another great result for the Blues, and a slap in the face for messers Sullivan, the Golds and Brady.

Posted 16:31 6th February 2011

Ian Kirton (West Ham United fan) says...

suppott whufc like me and spend your life down in the dumps . joke of a team these days or a joke of a manager

Posted 16:29 6th February 2011

Erick Wekesa (Chelsea fan) says...

Poor West Wam! you gonna be relegeted.

Posted 15:51 6th February 2011

Phil Ashen (West Ham United fan) says...

Saw some junior football in the park this morning and didn't think they had much clue. Sorry boys having watched that lot lose to one tactic Birmingham you could well be heading for the West Ham team!! Don't care if there is no "name" replacement for Grant available he just has to go. Put the tea lady in charge if you want, at least she may actually have some passion and care what happens to West Ham United. Championship here we come!!

Posted 15:40 6th February 2011

Lee Howell (Birmingham City fan) says...

Not the greatest of football matches but a good win for the blues, zigic is finally living up to his £6 mill value!! put martins alongside him for the next game and we'll be climbing up the league!

Posted 15:33 6th February 2011
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