Telegraph 26/10/11
Birmingham City 1 Leeds United 0: match report
By Brendan McLaughlin
So often the butt of the jokes, Birmingham City striker Nikola Zigic reminded St Andrew's what he has to offer with the winning goal against Leeds United.
The 6ft 8ins Serbia striker ended an eight-month goal drought with his first goal since his historic effort in the Carling Cup final to earn Chris Hughton's fast-improving side a sixth successive victory in all competitions while, at the same time, ending Simon Grayson's team's own seven-match unbeaten sequence.
Hughton, meanwhile, can do no wrong. This latest success elevated his team up to eighth - still with two games in hand on most of their rivals - within a point of the play-off places.
The Birmingham manager said: "This run has raised my expectation levels to a degree. We don't know how long the European campaign will last but I always wanted to be in contention (for the play-offs) when it ended.
"Leeds are not the biggest team so it was something I looked at. With Zigic we know we have a good player. He has missed an awful lot of football. I still don't think he's fully fit but he can still be a very effective player."
The fact it was a game bereft of controversy will have been welcomed by referee Chris Foy on what was his first outing since he came in for criticism from Andre Villas-Boas for his display in nine-man Chelsea's defeat to QPR.
As for the Blues of Birmingham, they had Boaz Myhill, the goalkeeper, to thank after he pulled off an extraordinary save to tip Adam Clayton's dipping 20-yard volley over his crossbar. Put simply, it was a 'worldie'.
It was a key moment. By the 35th minute City were ahead after Stephen Carr's cross fell to Zigic and he drove a shot home in off the left post via the aid of a deflection off Paul Connolly.
Zigic could even have doubled his and Birmingham's tally before the half-time whistle however, with the angle tight, he was unable to squeeze the ball beyond Leeds goalkeeper Paul Rachubka.
Leeds had plenty of the possession - Ross McCormack came closest with a drive - yet they could not find a way through a stubborn Blues defence which has still conceded just one league goal at St Andrew's all term.
Grayson said: "I thought we played very well. We worked their back four and the goalkeeper but we just couldn't put the ball in the net.
"You have to give credit to them. They have an experienced back four. They are not eye-catching, but they are very efficient. They won't be far away come the end of the season."
Birmingham City 1 Leeds United 0: match report
By Brendan McLaughlin
So often the butt of the jokes, Birmingham City striker Nikola Zigic reminded St Andrew's what he has to offer with the winning goal against Leeds United.
The 6ft 8ins Serbia striker ended an eight-month goal drought with his first goal since his historic effort in the Carling Cup final to earn Chris Hughton's fast-improving side a sixth successive victory in all competitions while, at the same time, ending Simon Grayson's team's own seven-match unbeaten sequence.
Hughton, meanwhile, can do no wrong. This latest success elevated his team up to eighth - still with two games in hand on most of their rivals - within a point of the play-off places.
The Birmingham manager said: "This run has raised my expectation levels to a degree. We don't know how long the European campaign will last but I always wanted to be in contention (for the play-offs) when it ended.
"Leeds are not the biggest team so it was something I looked at. With Zigic we know we have a good player. He has missed an awful lot of football. I still don't think he's fully fit but he can still be a very effective player."
The fact it was a game bereft of controversy will have been welcomed by referee Chris Foy on what was his first outing since he came in for criticism from Andre Villas-Boas for his display in nine-man Chelsea's defeat to QPR.
As for the Blues of Birmingham, they had Boaz Myhill, the goalkeeper, to thank after he pulled off an extraordinary save to tip Adam Clayton's dipping 20-yard volley over his crossbar. Put simply, it was a 'worldie'.
It was a key moment. By the 35th minute City were ahead after Stephen Carr's cross fell to Zigic and he drove a shot home in off the left post via the aid of a deflection off Paul Connolly.
Zigic could even have doubled his and Birmingham's tally before the half-time whistle however, with the angle tight, he was unable to squeeze the ball beyond Leeds goalkeeper Paul Rachubka.
Leeds had plenty of the possession - Ross McCormack came closest with a drive - yet they could not find a way through a stubborn Blues defence which has still conceded just one league goal at St Andrew's all term.
Grayson said: "I thought we played very well. We worked their back four and the goalkeeper but we just couldn't put the ball in the net.
"You have to give credit to them. They have an experienced back four. They are not eye-catching, but they are very efficient. They won't be far away come the end of the season."
