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Birmingham 0-2 Sheff Wed: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.
May on target as Owls sink Blues
Summer signing Stevie May netted a vital opening goal as Sheffield Wednesday secured a 2-0 win over Birmingham at St Andrews.
The Scotland Under-21 international, who joined the Owls in an B#800,000 move from St Johnstone last month, notched his second goal since moving south in the 68th minute to provide further evidence of Wednesday's quiet revival under manager Stuart Gray.
The visitors sealed the three points with a second goal a minute from time through substitute Jeremy Helan.
The win was just reward for the visitors' positive play, with the return from suspension of skipper Glenn Loovens another important factor in their victory.
Birmingham again dropped home points - a major problem for the Blues last season - as their struggles to get out of the lower reaches of the Sky Bet Championship continued.
As usual, Birmingham operated a free-flowing attacking formation but it was matched by Wednesday, who refused to be over-awed by the midlands club.
The result was some open fast play from both sides, with Clayton Donaldson wasting a glorious opportunity to put the hosts ahead in the opening five minutes.
Atdhe Nuhiu could count himself unlucky not to have given Wednesday the lead three minutes later with a first-time glided shot which went just wide of the far post.
The near-misses continued, particularly from the home side. Wes Thomas headed over from Dave Cotterill's cross, while newcomer Brek Shea shot into the side-netting.
Wednesday had another let-off when Paul Caddis let rip with an swerving 20-yard effort which crashed against the outside of the post in the 33rd minute.
Goalkeeper Kieren Westwood showed great bravery when he foiled Thomas in a one-on-one situation just six yards from the Wednesday goal.
Westwood's opposite number Darren Randolph distinguished himself in a similar manner in the opening exchanges of the second half.
He parried Chris Maguire's shot and then dived at the feet of Jacques Maghoma to prevent the Wednesday player scoring from close range.
The Owls were the more dangerous in the second period, although Nuhiu collected an unusual booking. With a colleague lying injured, he caught the ball from Westwood's clearance and was promptly booked by referee Jimmy Adcock.
Birmingham were forced to resort to some strong tackling to repel Wednesday, with Maguire and Nuhiu proving particularly troublesome.
But Scot Stevie May eventually put Wednesday ahead in the 68th minute. He collected a pass on the left and moved with great purpose across the edge of the penalty area before firing a low shot through a packed Birmingham defence.
Maguire, who had a fine second half, then carved out the opening for Helan to settle the game in the 89th minute, to the consternation of the home fans.
Lee Clark refused to blame the officials after Birmingham's 3-0 defeat to Sunderland as he hailed his team.
The St Andrew's boss, and former Black Cats midfielder, was left frustrated by Sunderland's opener.
Jordi Gomez's struck with just 13 minutes left but Birmingham felt the ball had gone out during the build up.
Last season's beaten finalists scored twice more through Adam Johnson and Connor Wickham in the final three minutes to add some gloss to a unconvincing performance.
A frustrated Clark said: "I'm not speaking about the officials, I'd rather spend my hard-earned money on something else rather than a fine.
"I am going to go through the right channels, I will have some footage for them.
"It's not a true reflection of the game. We played well, the scoreline does not do my players justice. After the first goal the players started chasing the equaliser and Premier League players will pick you off.
"We were more than a match for a very good team.
"I have said to the players, they have played really well. I'm delighted with everyone and they should come to the training ground smiling."
Birmingham had the better of a forgettable first half as David Cotterill hit the post and Wes Thomas fired wide.
But they failed to break Sunderland down and Gomez struck from 25-yards to begin the goal rush.
Clayton Donaldson shot straight at Costel Pantilimon before Johnson tapped in after Jozy Altidore's shot was saved.
Wickham made it 3-0 on 89 minutes when he found the corner from 15 yards to clinch a third-round tie at home to Stoke.
Boss Gus Poyet said: "It was a strange game, it was a poor first half but somehow we got to half time 0-0 but the second half was different.
"The same group of players got something at half-time and the first goal was key.
"It's not going to be perfect all the time, after we scored it was the best we have played this season.
"We played rubbish for 45 minutes but we finished the game on a high. It's the way the cup goes."
Gary Rowett has left Burton to become Birmingham's new manager.
Burton have announced the 40-year-old has been appointed as the replacement for the sacked Lee Clark at the Blues and will take his backroom staff of Kevin Summerfield, Kevin Poole and Mark Sale with him to St Andrew's.
He joins a side reeling from Saturday's 8-0 home hammering by Bournemouth which left them second bottom in the Sky Bet Championship.
Rowett was the club's first choice while Owen Coyle and Mike Phelan were also reportedly in the frame.
The 40-year-old returns to Birmingham 14 years after he was sold to Leicester for £3million following a successful two-year spell as a player. He made 106 appearances for the club between 1998 and 2000 before finishing his playing career at Burton in 2007 after a spell at Charlton.
Rowett won 63 of his 142 games at the Brewers after he replaced Paul Peschisolido in March 2012 and lost 1-0 to Fleetwood in the Sky Bet League Two play-off final last season. He had guided them to third in the table this term and lost his final game in charge 1-0 at Stevenage on Saturday.
Rowett's first match at Birmingham will be Saturday's Midlands derby with Wolves at St Andrew's.
Burton, meanwhile, have put head of academy Mike Whitlow in caretaker charge, assisted by senior players Ian Sharps and Lee Bell.
Brewers chairman Ben Robinson told the club's official website: "After the success Gary has achieved at Burton Albion over the last three years it was inevitable that there would be interest from other clubs.
"Gary is an ambitious young manager and the offer from one of his former clubs playing Championship football was one he wanted to take. We wish him well and thank Gary and his coaching team for what they have done for the club."
Birmingham V Bournemouth - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Davis set to boost Blues
David Davis is set to return for managerless Birmingham to face Bournemouth after overcoming a hip injury.
The midfielder missed Tuesday's 1-0 defeat to Blackburn but has trained this week ahead of the St Andrew's clash.
Stephen Gleeson is a doubt though with a calf injury and Neal Eardley is suspended for caretaker boss Malcolm Crosby.
Blues are due to talk to Burton boss - and their former defender - Gary Rowett over succeeding Lee Clark.
Two-goal hero Brett Pitman will lead the line once more for Bournemouth.
The 26-year-old forward made the most of his second start of the Championship season by scoring twice in Tuesday's emphatic 3-0 win over Reading and he looks set to partner Callum Wilson once more while Yann Kermorgant serves the final match of his three-game ban.
Boss Eddie Howe named an unchanged line-up against the Royals and he could do the same again as they look to take advantage of a dramatic week for Birmingham.
Defender Elliott Ward has stepped up his rehabilitation but is a long way from a first-team return after undergoing a knee operation.
Birmingham 6-1 Reading: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.
Birmingham thrash Reading
Birmingham's renaissance under Gary Rowett got firmly back on track with a ruthless obliteration of shell-shocked Reading in the Sky Bet Championship.
The wide margin was harsh on the Royals as Birmingham, who lost for the first time under Rowett at Blackpool last week, led 4-1 at half-time through Paul Caddis' opener and a slick Demarai Gray hat-trick.
Glenn Murray had pulled it back to 2-1 earlier, but Rowett's side refused to let up and Andrew Shinnie and David Cotterill rounded off a clinical afternoon's work.
Blues cult hero Nikola Zigic was named on the bench after re-signing for the club until the end of the season on a deal worth less than a tenth of his previous B#65,000-a-week salary.
However, he was not needed on this occasion. Birmingham went ahead in the fourth minute through a clever free-kick as Jonathan Grounds knocked it to fellow full-back Caddis, who smashed home right-footed past Adam Federici.
Simon Cox and then Murray wasted decent chances to level as Nigel Adkins' side battled back.
But City made it 2-0 against the run of play as Reading lapsed at the back, allowing Gray to pick the ball up from deep and burst forward, firing home clinically from the edge of the area as the visitors backed off.
Reading pulled one back in the 19th minute. Jordan Obita scuffed a volley into the box but succeeded in teeing it up nicely for Murray, who looped a header over Darren Randolph and in.
The brilliant Gray restored the two-goal cushion in the 24th with more delightful solo play. Cooper gave the ball away cheaply and the youngster showed quick feet before guiding the ball into the far corner.
If anything, it was Birmingham who looked shaky at the back, as Reading kept their heads up and pressed.
Yet Gray had his hat-trick in added time, again on the break. David Davis picked the ball up and with Gray to his left and Cotterill to his right against two defenders, slid it to the former who took it well before coolly slotting it home.
Thirty seconds into the second half, Shinnie made it 5-1. Birmingham's most-improved player under Rowett forced his way in from the right, jinked into the box and smashed a low shot past the despairing Federici.
In the 59th minute the Royals keeper's misery was compounded as Cotterill's free-kick from the left ghosted straight into the far corner of the net.
Murray saw an effort hit the bar as the clock ticked down, while Zigic received a hero's welcome as he came off the bench for the final seven minutes.
Birmingham 0-3 Sunderland: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.
Black Cats finish strongly
Sunderland's late show sent the Black Cats through in the Capital One Cup - and leave Birmingham fuming.
Jordi Gomez, Adam Johnson and Connor Wickham struck in the final 13 minutes to stun the hosts and give the Premier League side a 3-0 win.
But Blues were angered after Gomez's opener, claiming the ball had gone out in the build-up.
The Black Cats made hard work of the win as David Cotterill hit the post and Clayton Donaldson missed for the hosts.
It was harsh on Birmingham, who had matched the Barclays Premier League side in Lee Clark's first meeting with Sunderland as a manager, after a two-year spell with the Black Cats which ended in controversy in 1999.
The former midfielder was forced to leave after wearing an offensive T-shirt which mocked Sunderland fans.
Clark called on Colin Doyle in goal while opposite number Gus Poyet made six changes from the side which held Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at the weekend.
Costel Pantilimon, Billy Jones and Gomez made their first starts for the Black Cats.
Sebastian Larsson also started, having spent five years at Blues before moving to the north-east.
Paul Caddis tested Pantilimon from distance early but any early hope for a Birmingham onslaught was swiftly dashed.
Blues' grit and determination gave them a foothold but they rarely breached the Sunderland backline with serious menace in the opening half an hour.
The game's pedestrian nature did little to conjure a spectacle either.
The visitors, disjointed and ragged, rarely looked like a top flight side with Jozy Altidore isolated up front.
Doyle was well protected by the Birmingham defence and limited and limp Sunderland lacked the nous to penetrate.
The hosts created the best chances late in the first half though and could have gone into the break ahead.
First Wes Thomas turned Mark Duffy's cross wide on 43 minutes and 60 seconds later Cotterill hit the outside of the post from a tight angle.
They were brief bright moments in a dour first half and things did not improve in the early stages of the second half.
While Birmingham remained the aggressors, their final ball rendered any build-up useless with Sunderland easily holding firm.
Gradually the top flight side began to take charge through.
Gomez could not force the ball in after a 65th minute scramble and Doyle saved Liam Bridcutt's low effort a minute later.
However, the Black Cats broke the deadlock with 13 minutes remaining - when Gomez received the ball 25 yards out and rifled into the bottom corner.
Birmingham were unhappy though as they felt the ball had gone out deep in the Sunderland half during the build-up.
Donaldson wasted a fine chance to instantly level when he shot at Pantilimon and David Edgar shot over before Sunderland sealed the game.
Johnson fired in after Altidore's shot was saved in the 87th minute, before Wickham stroked in from 15 yards a minute later.
Birmingham V Sheff Wed - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Arthur added to Blues squad
Koby Arthur will come into the Birmingham squad after he was recalled from his loan spell at Cheltenham.
The 18-year-old winger scored four goals in eight games for the Robins and was due to be there until January.
Lee Novak (knee), Olly Lee (hamstring) and Denny Johnstone (thigh) are all out for Lee Clark's side.
Striker Matt Green has also suffered a patellar tendon injury and is expected to be out for a further two months.
Sheffield Wednesday skipper Glenn Loovens is expected to return to the starting line-up following suspension.
Defender Loovens sat out a one-game ban in the goalless weekend draw at Bolton, but is hoping to return in place of Kamil Zayatte alongside Tom Lees.
Midfield pair Kieran Lee (groin) and Sam Hutchinson (back) both remain doubtful, while on-loan winger Royston Drenthe is pushing for his first start.
Defender Lewis Buxton returned to the bench as an unused substitute at Bolton following a knee injury and is hoping to make his first appearance of the season.
Birmingham V Nottm Forest - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Moussi set for Forest reunion
Guy Moussi could make his Birmingham debut against his former club when Nottingham Forest travel to St Andrew's.
The midfielder was released by Forest in the summer and signed a short-term deal at Blues this month, donating his wages to four charities.
Gavin Gunning and Matt Green (knee) and Jonathan Spector (thigh) are still long-term injury absentees.
Wes Thomas is suspended with the forward serving the second of his three-game ban.
Forest boss Stuart Pearce must decide whether or not he changes a winning team.
The Reds, who have no new problems, were impressive in victory at Wolves last weekend but the likes of Tom Ince and Jack Hunt could come into Pearce's thinking this Saturday.
One of the players Ince could replace is Chris Burke, but he will be desperate to keep his position on the right-hand side of midfield as he faces his former club for the first time since leaving St Andrew's in the summer. Hunt could put Eric Lichaj's place at full-back under pressure.
Defender Jack Hobbs (ankle) and midfielder Andy Reid (groin) are progressing well as they recover from injury and it is hoped they will be back in first-team contention around Christmas time.
Birmingham 0-1 Bolton: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.
Lennon starts with a bang
New Bolton manager Neil Lennon made a typically explosive start to his English managerial career as he was sent to the stands while his rejuvenated side took three Sky Bet Championship points from 10-man Birmingham.
The former Celtic boss took over from Dougie Freedman this week with his new team stuck on the bottom of the table.
However, the Trotters ended a five-match losing streak courtesy of Matt Mills' first-half header and held on for a 1-0 win despite Craig Davies missing a late penalty after goalkeeper Darren Randolph was sent off.
Lennon's name was being chanted by the Bolton fans before his tenure had even begun on the field.
A lively start saw Birmingham winger Koby Arthur's shot deflect wide before Dorian Dervite and Jermaine Beckford both headed wide for Bolton.
Bolton defender Mills was booked in the 14th minute for a timely foul on Demarai Gray. David Cotterill's resulting free-kick clipped the bar, to Mills' relief.
Gray mis-kicked over the bar in the 19th minute but seconds later, the visitors took the lead against the run of play.
Captain Jay Spearing's cross from a corner from the right was perfectly flighted for Mills to power home a header, prompting Lennon to sprint down the touchline pumping his fists.
Birmingham were creating half-chances and came close when Gray was fed by Stephen Gleeson, pushed on and forced a good save by Andy Lonergan with his curling effort just before the break.
Further half-chances came and went for Gray and Arthur before the former dragged a volley wide as Lee Clark's side pushed for a way back into the match. Their profligacy continued as fellow academy product Arthur wildly missed the target yet again.
The effervescent Gray hit the bar in the 78th minute with a superb curling effort, which Lonergan brilliantly tipped onto the woodwork.
It looked over as a contest when Bolton won penalty in the 82nd minute. Blues right-back Paul Caddis played goalkeeper Randolph into trouble with a backpass under pressure from Davies and the Irishman felled the forward to earn himself a red card.
Forward Lee Novak, on as an earlier substitute, donned the goalkeeping gloves and was delighted to see Davies blaze the penalty high into the stands.
Lennon, in the melee, was sent to the stands for an infringement on the touchline.
Birmingham had a penalty shout for handball turned down by referee Mark Haywood during six minutes of added time but that was as close as they came.
Birmingham 2-2 Ipswich: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.
Berra brace boosts Tractor Boys
Scotland international Christophe Berra was the thorn in Birmingham's side with two opportunist goals to earn Ipswich a 2-2 Sky Bet Championship draw at St Andrew's.
Birmingham twice took the lead through David Edgar and Clayton Donaldson but the Tractor Boys would not be denied with Berra obtaining his second goal two minutes from time.
Birmingham, however, had every reason to feel aggrieved as they had enjoyed most of the attacking play and deserved their interval lead following a fine headed goal from Edgar.
They can, however, take heart from their latest performance. They may have problems off the pitch but the invigorating spirit showed by the team promises a big improvement upon last season.
Their new resolve was demonstrated by their determination to regain the lead through a solo goal by Donaldson in the 63rd minute.
But it was hardly a game for purists. The short-ball game often went out of the window as both teams operated a long-ball policy.
Consequently the game flowed backwards and forwards with neither side really getting the upper hand in the early stages.
Birmingham were indebted to a smart save by Darren Randolph in the 10th minute when he prevented Daryl Murphy from opening the Tractor Boys' account.
Paul Anderson began to make an impact on the left for Ipswich and he made one penetrating run which ended with on-loan striker Conor Sammon getting himself in a tangle when attempting to make contact on the edge of the six-yard box.
Birmingham's best opportunity in this period fell to Lee Novak. Goalkeeper Dean Gerken dropped a high ball but the former Huddersfield striker jabbed at the ball and ballooned over the bar.
Novak's next attempt was on target but his weak header from a Paul Caddis cross posed no problem for Gerken.
The finishing of the Ipswich attack was equally indifferent. In particular Murphy should have made a better fist of scoring only to twist his shot well wide of the target.
Ominously Birmingham began to dominate the exchanges and there was one scare when Donaldson snatched at a low cross from David Cotterill and shot wide as challenged by Tommy Smith.
It was a warning shot for Ipswich as Birmingham created the breakthrough in the 30th minute, their Canadian defender Edgar obtaining his first goal for the club.
The Ipswich defence were entirely at fault on this occasion as no one marked Edgar on the far side for Cotterill's corner and the former Burnley player picked his spot to score with a well-directed header.
The visitors' equaliser came five minutes into the second half and again it was from a dead-ball situation.
On this occasion it was a free-kick from Anderson deep on the left which was glanced into the net by Berra.
Birmingham's tenacious spirit was demonstrated in the 63rd minute when Donaldson latched on a long through pass from Wes Thomas to slip the ball past the advancing Gerken.
Nevertheless, they were denied victory when Berra converted a pass from Anderson to earn a last-gasp draw.
Birmingham V Cardiff - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Blues without Novak
Birmingham boss Gary Rowett will still be without the injured Lee Novak for the visit of Cardiff.
The striker is yet to play under Rowett after suffering a hamstring injury before their draw with Wolves last week.
Rowett has no other fresh injury worries and is likely to stick with the same side who beat Watford 2-1 on Tuesday, his first win as Blues boss.
The former Burton manager has picked up four points from his first two games in charge.
Cardiff will be without Kenwyne Jones once more as they look for their first away win of the campaign.
Their 3-0 thumping at Bolton on Tuesday night means Cardiff have drawn four and lost four of their eight Championship away games since relegation and they will have to manage without their top scorer, who is in Trinidad after a family tragedy.
But Russell Slade may be able to call on winger Anthony Pilkington, who missed the Trotters loss through illness as they look to bounce back.
Former Crystal Palace midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi will not be involved as the South African has been ruled out for 16 weeks with a knee injury.
Birmingham 1-2 Fulham: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.
Fulham pick up first win
After eight games without a win since their relegation from the Premier League Fulham finally ended their miserable start to the season with a 2-1 Championship victory over Birmingham City at St Andrew's.
Two second half goals from their German and Colombian imports, Tim Hoogland and Hugo Rodallega, enabled the Cottagers to savour the rate taste of victory.
They trailed by a first half goal from Dave Cotterill and were let off the hook on several occasions by Birmingham's indifferent finishing before they hit back in determined style to the delight of their 903 travelling fans.
The win was also the first in league under the control of caretaker manager, Kit Symons.
Birmingham had numerous chances to chalk up only their second league home win in 12 months but they let themselves down with some indifferent finishing.
To their credit Fulham hardly began as a bottom of the table side as demonstrated by Ross McCormack when he flashed in a free-kick which Darren Randolph had to desperately finger-tip away to safety.
But it was Birmingham who then took command and Cotterill, who has created numerous goal opportunities this season, found himself in a goalscoring position when he latched onto a pass from Mark Duffy only to screw his effort wide with only goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli to beat.
Fulham's problem was highlighted in the 19th minute when the industrious McCormack produced an accurate cross from the right only for Rodallega to fail to make a clean contact just yards away from the Birmingham goal.
The game developed into a chronicle of missed chances as emphasised in the 27th minute when another clear cut opening went begging.
Cotterill's floated left wing cross found the unmarked Clayton Donaldson when conspired to put his glancing header wide from only five yards.
Birmingham continued to benefit from Cotterill's good delivery and another chance went begging as David Edgar headed wide from the former Burnley player's corner kick.
Finally, in the 37th minute, they finally broke the stalemate with a solo goal.
Callum Reilly pushed a pass into the path of Cotterill. He looked up and decided to fire in a shot from fully 25 yards which whistled into the top far corner of the net.
A lacklustre Fulham could have gone further behind if Jonathan Grounds had displayed better control before haphazardly shooting wide.
With skipper Scott Parker back in their side Fulham, however, made a more determined effort to repair the first half damage.
They were boosted by another smart save by Bettinelli to keep out a Brek Shea effort and they were rewarded with a 63rd minute equaliser from Hoogland.
Nikolay Bodurov's cross was deflected to Hoogland who saw his shot also deflected into the net.
The winner came courtesy of a bad mistake by Jonathan Spector. He attempted to push the ball back to his goalkeeper only for the ball to cannon to Rodallega to capitalise upon the mistake and score with an angled shot after 71 minutes.
Birmingham V Fulham - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Trio set for Blues return
Birmingham boss Lee Clark has Grant Hall, Denny Johnstone and Oliver Lee back in contention for Saturday's Sky Bet Championship clash with Fulham at St Andrews.
Centre-back Hall has missed the last two games with a groin strain, frontman Johnstone has been out for five fixtures with a thigh injury and midfielder Lee has yet to feature this term due to a hamstring problem.
Koby Arthur is not quite ready after returning from a loan spell at Cheltenham with a tight hamstring and Lee Novak is still sidelined with a knee injury.
USA international Brek Shea has made a bright start to his stint on loan from Stoke and told the Birmingham Mail: "It is always good to know that the gaffer wants you. That obviously makes you feel good and, as a player, makes you work harder for him."
Matt Smith returns to the Fulham squad after suspension.
The striker has completed a three-match ban after he was sent off just 18 minutes into his debut against Reading a fortnight ago.
Skipper Scott Parker will be back in the starting line-up after he was rested against Doncaster in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night.
Defender Shaun Hutchinson remains suspended so caretaker boss Kit Symons could otherwise name an unchanged side as he looks to build on their 2-1 midweek win and secure Fulham's first league victory of the season.
Birmingham V Reading - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Zigic set for second Brum bow
Nikola Zigic is available for Birmingham when they face Reading as he has received the visa entry clearance on his passport that he needed after rejoining the club until the end of the season.
Wes Thomas is also back after serving a three-game ban for his sending-off against Cardiff last month.
Paul Robinson will be assessed after having stitches in his foot while Andrew Shinnie (ankle) is fit.
Gavin Gunning, Matt Green (both knee) and Jonathan Spector (thigh) are still long-term injury absentees.
Reading will check on Hal Robson-Kanu after he limped off during last week's goalless draw against Bolton with a hamstring problem.
Nigel Adkins is hopeful the Wales winger will be available, and if he is passed fit the Royals boss will have an unchanged squad.
Adkins remains without a host of players, though, with Jamie Mackie (hamstring), Pavel Pogrebnyak and Anton Ferdinand (both calf) not ready to return.
They are joined in the treatment room by long-term casualties Hope Akpan (shoulder), Danny Guthrie (calf) and Jem Karacan (knee).
Birmingham 0-0 Cardiff: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.
Rowett remains unbeaten
Gary Rowett's unbeaten start as Birmingham manager continued with a spirited goalless draw against Cardiff.
Former Birmingham loanee Federico Macheda stabbed home early in the second half for Cardiff and Blues substitute Wes Thomas also had the ball in the net, but both were denied by the flag as Rowett moved to three games unbeaten since replacing Lee Clark while Cardiff await their first away league win this season.
The home side finished with 10 men as Thomas saw red for an off-the-ball incident with Sean Morrison.
Birmingham winger David Cotterill's right-footed shot was the first attempt of note but his fourth-minute effort was wide of David Marshall's far post.
Anthony Pilkington had a go at the other end but Darren Randolph got down to his right to save comfortably while Adam Le Fondre also should have done better with a shot from close range.
Randolph was tested minutes later when Macheda found space on the left and Blues captain Paul Robinson nearly deflected the ball into his own net.
The Bluebirds should have led at the break as Macheda again did well to receive Peter Whittingham's clever ball only to see his drilled shot parried by Randolph.
Macheda had the ball in the net early in the second half but only after an offside call had been made, the Italian benefiting from a loose ball following Robinson's block but only while clearly ahead of the play.
Rowett introduced Thomas and Demarai Gray from the bench in an attempt to swing things in the home side's favour.
And they had the ball in the net themselves in the 64th minute as the tide began to turn. Dangerous youngster Gray did superbly on the right to whip in a brilliant cross. Fellow substitute Thomas blasted home from close range at the far post only to see the flag up.
Gray's effort from the edge of the penalty area was well blocked by Matthew Connolly, amid appeals for handball.
Gray was again in the thick of it in the 80th minute as a shot was blocked and a volley saved by Marshall in the space of a few seconds.
Birmingham striker Clayton Donaldson wasted a brilliant opportunity when put through on the right with two minutes left, panicking and snatching at his shot to leave Marshall's clean sheet intact.
A heated final few minutes saw Thomas dismissed by referee Kevin Friend for an apparent off-the-ball incident with Morrison which left the defender needing treatment.
Birmingham 0-4 Derby: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.
Rams' raid gives hosts the Blues
Steve McClaren's Derby rediscovered their winning formula as knock-out goals from Jordon Ibe, Chris Martin, Craig Forsyth and Johnny Russell paved the way to an impressive Boxing Day 4-0 away win over Birmingham.
Derby always had the edge as they stepped up the pace to inflict only Birmingham's second home defeat under new manager Gary Rowett.
The Blues never recovered from an early strike by Ibe when the pacy winger, who had a short spell at St Andrew's on loan from Birmingham, forced home a close-range shot.
Martin's 22nd-minute goal direct from a free-kick was his 16th strike of the season - form which keeps Derby very much in the promotion race despite some recent indifferent results.
In poor playing conditions the Derby success was a holiday treat for the 3,000 travelling fans from the East Midlands who were treated to a 78th-minute third goal from Forsyth, followed by a fourth from Russell two minutes from time.
With only one win from their previous four league games Derby were obviously intent on improving their recent record - a feat they achieved with a quality performance.
In steady rain the game took some time to come alive but in the 10th minute Derby stormed ahead as a result of some determined play by Ibe, who physically forced his way past Caddis and Morrison to blast the ball into the roof of the net from very close range.
The goal resulted in Birmingham coming out of their early policy of containment in an attempt to get back on level terms.
But Derby continued to have the upper hand with some high quality skill as demonstrated by Russell who cleverly side-stepped a Birmingham defender following an astute pass from Martin only to slam the ball into the chest of goalkeeper Randolph.
With Derby so dangerous on the breakaway very little was seen of Birmingham's bright youngster Gray as the County defence appeared solid against advance made by the opposition.
The result was that the only time goalkeeper Grant was tested come from a long-range effort from Cotterill.
The response from Derby was to immediately increase their lead. Russell, who led the Birmingham defence on a merry dance, went on a fast cross-field run only to be brought down by Gleeson on the edge of the D.
Derby's leading marksman stepped up to dispatch the kick into the roof of the net with great authority for his 16th goal of the season in the 22nd minute.
There then should have been a third Derby goal. The fast moving Ibe outpaced the Birmingham defence and squared the ball to the unmarked Hughes, who slipped as he was about to make contact.
With the rain turning to persistent snow it did not deter Derby, while Birmingham found some belated attacking form with the introduction of both Zigic and Thomas.
The double substitution had a marked effect with Thomas immediately testing Grant, while Randolph prevented a third goal when he saved Russell's angled shot with an outstretched leg.
Birmingham were the more positive in the closing stages but the result was well and truly put out of their reach in the 78th minute when Forsyth collected a pass from Ibe to score with a long raking drive from outside the area.
Russell deservedly notched the fourth when he latched on to a blocked clearance to score with a low angled shot in the 88th minute.
Birmingham V Bolton - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Blues boosted by duo return
Birmingham boss Lee Clark has been boosted by the news that Lee Novak and Neal Eardley are both available to return from injury ahead of Saturday's Championship clash with Bolton.
Forward Novak has been out for six weeks and defender Eardley has been absent for a month, each as a result of knee problems.
However, both emerged unscathed from a midweek friendly against Notts County, with Novak scoring in a 2-1 victory.
Demarai Gray has recovered from the ankle knock which ruled him out of England Under-19s duty, but Mark Duffy has suffered a calf injury and will be sidelined for up to eight weeks.
Bolton will begin life under Neil Lennon at St Andrew's after the Northern Irishman was appointed to the manager's post last Sunday.
The ex-Celtic boss admitted earlier this week that he was unsure which players or even which formation he would deploy in the Midlands, but the likes of Matt Mills, Jermaine Beckford and 20-year-old striker Max Clayton have all caught the 43-year-old's eye already.
A number of Wanderers' internationals would not even meet Lennon until later this week which may harm their chances of featuring, with Tim Ream, Chris Herd, Medo Kamara and Lee Chung-yong all flying back after midweek friendlies on other continents.
Goalkeeper Adam Bogdan (finger) and defender Marc Tierney (broken foot) are still out for the Sky Bet Championship basement dwellers, but Liam Trotter (hamstring) and David Wheater (back) are both nearing their respective returns.
Birmingham V Derby - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Spector nears return for Blues
Jonathan Spector is back for Birmingham after the defender returned to full training for the first time since October.
Spector has been sidelined with a torn thigh muscle and while Boxing Day's visit of Derby may come too soon he will be soon be available for boss Gary Rowett.
Gavin Gunning and Matt Smith (both knee) are still long-term absentees for Blues.
Will Packwood is also sidelined with a groin injury he picked up on loan at Colchester.
Derby head into one of the busiest times of the season with doubts over several players.
Central midfielders Craig Bryson and Jeff Hendrick, full-back Cyrus Christie and forward Johnny Russell have all been receiving treatment following the 2-2 draw with Norwich. None of the quartet have trained this week, with Bryson and Hendrick major concerns ahead of Boxing Day with calf and ankle injuries respectively.
The Rams are already without centre-halves Jake Buxton and Zak Whitbread, along with forward Jamie Ward. Buxton completes a two-match suspension while Whitbread (back and hamstring) and Ward (thigh) remain sidelines through injury.
Some good news for Derby head coach Steve McClaren sees John Eustace return to the squad. The holding midfielder has missed the last three games with an abductor problem.
Birmingham 1-1 Leeds: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.
Mowatt saves the day for Leeds
Teenager Alex Mowatt rescued a point for Leeds at Birmingham as the home side had to settle for a 1-1 draw in a Sky Bet Championship game they had dominated.
Birmingham had appeared to be heading for only their second win of the season following a 37th-minute goal from Wes Thomas but Leeds staged a late revival to salvage a draw,
Earlier Birmingham had been inspired by the inclusion of Brek Shea, brought to the club on a three-month loan from Stoke. Shea provided a persistent threat and in his pink boots the American international created the opening from which Thomas grabbed the opening.
Leeds, who completed an easy double over Birmingham last season, displayed few indications they could repeat that as they were subjected to long spells of pressure until they found some late attacking form.
With both teams languishing in the lower reaches of the table and seeing the game as an opportunity to grab a valuable win, it developed into a cut-and-thrust encounter.
Neither attack had been prolific this season and it was clear both were lacking in menace again.
The introduction of Shea was an inspirational move as he quickly demonstrated a potential threat down the left with some clever, confident play.
The fair-haired US player popped up to produce a powerful swinging long-range drive which Marco Silvestri saved with some ease.
Leeds had a lucky escape in the 16th minute. Goalkeeper Darren Randolph delayed his clearance and advanced well out of the penalty area before launching a long, high clearance which the retreating Giuseppe Bellusci nearly put into his own goal with a glancing header.
Birmingham may have enjoyed most of the attacking play but the lack of real goal power was evident as Leeds usually mopped up any threat of danger.
Even when Clayton Donaldson managed to create space for himself, he conspired to guide his low shot from the left wide of the far post.
But in the 37th minute Birmingham's attacking superiority paid off when Thomas latched on to a pass from Shea, and turned past Bellusci before whipping in a shot from the left which not only opened the scoring but broke the post supporting the net, holding up the game for eight minutes.
Shea was involved again two minutes into the second half when his header from David Cotterill's free-kick sailed just over the bar.
Leeds were forced into a rearguard effort, looking to score on the occasional break.
The West Yorkshire side finally had the Birmingham goal in their sights when 19-year-old midfielder Mowatt struck a long-range effort which had Randolph flinging himself to his left to bring off a good save.
It was the introduction of Rudolph Austin which appeared to lift Leeds and there was more purpose about their play.
Their equaliser came in the 76th minute when Tommaso Bianchi's cross was poorly cleared by Neal Eardley and Mowatt took full advantage to hammer an angled low shot past Randolph.
Birmingham teenager Demarai Gray took over from Shea and led Leeds a merry dance. He waltzed through on one occasion only to be booked for diving in the penalty area after a tackle by Bellusci.
Birmingham V Sunderland - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Clark eyes Black Cats scalp
Boss Lee Clark has urged Birmingham to go for the kill against Sunderland and believes they have finally turned the corner.
Blues host the Black Cats, last season's beaten finalists, in the Capital One Cup second round on Wednesday with the manager insisting they are over their struggles, after avoiding relegation from the Championship in May.
Clark helped them Sunderland to promotion to the Premier League in 1999 before joining Fulham that summer after he was spotted wearing an offensive t-shirt which mocked Black Cats fans.
Birmingham, 2011 winners, beat holders Swansea in the competition last season before losing on penalties to Stoke and Clark wants another big effort.
"With my background I'd like to win the game. You want to win it to get into the next round," he said.
"I'm hoping my lads will have a right good go and we'll have another Swansea and Stoke situation where we're putting pressure on the Premier League team.
"We are showing people we're a powerful Championship team. We have to replicate the performances we've had at home."
Clark is without Matt Green and Gavin Gunning (both knee) while Andrew Shinnie (back) is still unavailable.
Sunderland lost 3-1 to Manchester City at Wembley in last season's March final, despite taking the lead through Fabio Borini.
And after their 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday Steven Fletcher insisted confidence is high.
"We're absolutely delighted with the start we've had," he told the club's official website.
"The point against United is a good result, especially after we went a goal behind and it's a good show of character to come back."
Birmingham 2-1 Watford: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.
Donaldson double rouses Birmingham
Clayton Donaldson's deadly double gave Gary Rowett his first win as Birmingham boss as they downed Watford 2-1.
Revitalised under Rowett, Birmingham recorded just their second home league win in over a year thanks to Donaldson's late winner.
The striker had put the hosts ahead inside the first two minutes before Fernando Forestieri's leveller in Rowett's first home game in charge.
And Donaldson headed in David Cotterill's cross with five minutes left as Birmingham exorcised the demons of the 8-0 home thumping to Bournemouth in their last St Andrew's outing.
They did not climb out of the Sky Bet Championship bottom three, though, while Watford dropped off top to fourth.
Birmingham, in front of their biggest home crowd of the season of 18,309, were unchanged from the starting line-up that took a 0-0 draw at Wolves on Saturday but David Edgar and Demarai Gray returned to the bench.
Watford made five changes following a 3-1 win over Millwall, with the injured Sebastien Bassong and Gianni Munari out for Tommie Hoban and Lewis McGugan. Daniel Pudil, Keith Andrews and Matej Vydra were also replaced by Lloyd Doyley, Ikechi Anya and Forestieri.
Rowett had called for his side to make an early impact and they responded by taking the lead after just 80 seconds.
Stephen Gleeson was given time to cross from the left to find Donaldson and his prodded effort hit Joel Ekstrand and flew past Heurelho Gomes.
The lead lasted just five minutes though when Doyley crossed from the left and Forestieri found the corner after his initial shot was saved by Darren Randolph.
The frantic start continued as both sides pressed, although Watford looked more potent, and Cotterill sent a 25-yard effort wide.
Birmingham should have regained the lead after 28 minutes when Andrew Shinnie, eight yards out, planted a free header wide from Paul Caddis' excellent cross.
Watford's threat had subsided and Birmingham threatened, with Gomes saving Cotterill's fierce free-kick on 34 minutes.
He denied the winger again sooner after, while Randolph turned Troy Deeney's rasping effort over.
Birmingham continued pressing after the break and Juan Paredes cleared Koby Arthur's cross as Donaldson waited to pounce.
Gleeson volleyed wide with the hosts on top and the Hornets feeing off scraps.
Gomes saved low from David Davis' neat volley with 14 minutes left but Donaldson won the points in the 85th minute when he powered in Cotterill's cross from six yards.
Randolph still had to save from Anya with two minutes remaining but Birmingham held on.
Birmingham 0-8 Bournemouth: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.
Birmingham battered by Bournemouth
Bournemouth romped to an outstanding 8-0 victory at managerless Birmingham as the misery continued for the home fans.
A goal down in two minutes to Brett Pitman and reduced to 10 men three minutes later it proved a nightmare for Birmingham's caretaker boss, Malcolm Crosby.
They could do nothing right and Bournemouth capitalised on the situation to add two further first half goals through Callum Wilson and Matt Ritchie.
Marc Pugh added the fourth, fifth and seventh goals after the break with substitute Tokelo Rantie converting an 80th minute penalty. Rantie completed Birmingham's humiliation with the eighth goal four minutes from time.
Following such a dire start there was little chance of Birmingham staging a revival as Bournemouth were generally in control and went on to record their sixth win in their last seven outings.
These are bleak times for Birmingham, highlighted by the sacking of manager Lee Clarke on Monday.
During his stewardship Birmingham had won only one of their previous 24 homes games and this latest heavy defeat keeps them anchored in the relegation area and facing a bleak future.
In their hour of crisis the West Midland's club could not have made a worse start. They were caught in total disarray when Pitman simply ran through unchallenged to slip the ball past the advancing Darren Randolph.
Things became even worse in the fifth minute. There was no real danger when Wilson attempted to gain possession only to be pulled back by Edgar who was immediately shown a red card by referee Keith Hill.
Against 10 men, Bournemouth had a fine opportunity to completely destroy a hapless Birmingham but their early marksman, Pitman, suddenly lacked his finishing touch.
Twice in quick succession he should have added to his tally. On the first occasion Randolph bravely pushed out an effort from Wilson only for Pitman to glide his effort wide.
A minute later he completely mis-screwed his shot wide with the goal at his mercy but Wilson made no mistake with his 35th minute goal.
Yet again it came about as a result of a mistake. This time Randolph made a woeful clearance straight to the Cherries striker. He calmly went forward, rounded Randolph and scored with a low angled shot for his tenth goal of the season.
The chronicle of errors continued unabated as Bournemouth notched a third goal six minutes before half time.
Randolph came out only to see Paul Robinson's clearance bounce back off Ritchie who then ran gleefully on to the loose ball to score into an empty net.
Birmingham could do nothing right as they even missed a 53rd minute penalty. Clayton Donaldson was impeded by Tommy Elphick but Paul Caddis saw Artur Boruc save his spot kick low down diving to his left.
There was no respite for Birmingham as Pugh hooked home a right wing cross from Simon Francis in the 64th minute.
Pugh headed home Bournemouth's fifth in the 70th minute when he converted another accurate Francis cross.
Rantie notched an 80th a penalty followed by another Pugh goal. Rantie completed the demolition of demoralised Birmingham four minutes from time.
Birmingham 2-1 Nottm Forest: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.
Blues maintain momentum
Birmingham beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 in a frantic finish at St Andrew's to increase their unbeaten run to five games under Gary Rowett.
Birmingham appeared to be coasting to a comfortable win following David Cotterill's first-half strike when Britt Assombalonga grabbed a fine equaliser in the 84th minute.
Assombalonga was Forest's hero with his goal but he then became their villain five minutes later when he handled the ball in the area and was sent off for the offence.
Paul Caddis, who had missed the previous penalty he had taken at St Andrew's, made no mistake from the spot sending goalkeeper Karl Darlow the wrong way.
It was something of a set-back for Forest after two successive wins over Norwich and Wolves had put them on the edge of the play-off zone.
But on a special Trevor Francis day in honour of their former star, who was inducted into the Birmingham Hall of Fame, City responded to the occasion with another morale boosting victory.
A revitalised City quickly demonstrated their freshly-acquired confidence against the previously in-form Forest.
They played with a pleasing eager approach which had Forest on the defensive. Teenager Demarai Gray proved particularly troublesome with his jinking style of play.
Showing cool composure, he confidently pulled the ball back on the edge of the penalty area, wrong-footing the Forest defenders in the process only to glide his side-footed shot wide of the post.
Forest's response was generally orchestrated by Michail Antonio. On several occasions he tormented Caddis without being able to set up a goalscoring opportunity.
The opening goal came unexpectedly in the 10th minute with no apparent danger to Forest's defence.
Cotterill gained possession on the edge of the area and produced a speculative left-footed swinging shot which he arrowed into the top far corner of the net.
Boosted by the goal, Birmingham strived to increase their lead with Gray continuing to torment the Forest defence with his speed and ball control.
Birmingham's high-tempo game kept Forest at full stretch and they had a lucky let-off in the 31st minute.
A first-time cross by Caddis was deflected by Danny Fox onto the top of the crossbar with Darlow nowhere near the ball.
Former Birmingham favourite Chris Burke finally emerged following a slow start with a characteristic powerful drive in the 43rd minute with Forest's first shot on target but Darren Randolph was alive to the danger to make a comfortable save.
In search of the equaliser, Forest stepped up their game in the second period with Henri Lansbury playing a pivotal midfield role.
Birmingham weathered the storm and Clayton Donaldson went close to scoring only to be thwarted by a fine save by Darlow who was later very nearly caught out by a long-range lob by Cotterill from the halfway line.
Forest Manager Stuart Pearce made substitutions to inject more life into Forest's bid to get back into the game and was rewarded when Assombalonga headed home after Jamie Paterson had flicked on Antonio's cross.
Birmingham immediately hit back with Caddis sealing the win with his successful penalty.
Birmingham V Leeds - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Teenager Martin in Blues squad
Birmingham will include 15-year-old defender Josh Martin in their squad against Leeds.
The teenager missed school on Friday to train with the first team and would be Blues' youngest ever player should he feature.
Brek Shea is in line for his Birmingham debut after joining on a three-month loan from Stoke. The American winger has struggled to make an impact at the Britannia after a series of injuries and boss Lee Clark wanted to sign him permanently in the summer.
Lee Novak has been ruled out for a month with a knee injury while Olly Lee (hamstring) and Denny Johnstone (thigh) are both sidelined for up to two weeks.
Leeds' recent signing Adryan is in contention to make his debut for the club as caretaker boss Neil Redfearn takes charge of his second game.
The Brazilian midfielder, on a season-long loan from Flamengo, played for the Under-21s in midweek and is expected to be included on the substitutes' bench.
Striker Souleymane Doukara is expected to return to the squad followng his recovery from an ankle injury and Swiss defender Gaetano Berardi is avaialble again after missing the previous two games due to concussion.
Midfielder Luke Murphy and defender Sam Byram remain suspended and although international clearance is expected in time for striker Brian Montenegro and defender Dario Del Fabro, neither is likely to feature.
The 'England DNA' initiative was unveiled to over 1,500 coaches at St George's Park and focuses on five key aspects: pride in representing England in a "comprehensive and varied" schedule of games at different age levels, playing with a particular philosophy, the skills and attributes the "future England player" should have, plus the coaching and support to go with all that.
England manager Roy Hodgson said: "I think it is very important we have a very clear idea of what principles we are going to follow and what we want the players to be doing in different situations.
"We want to improve their awareness tactically and their game management. All these types of thing are what I think is going to make England teams stronger going forward, and it is very much a coaching matter.
"The earlier we can get these messages across to the players and really bed them in, it should help the seniors when the players progress through the levels and arrive in that team."
The FA's director of elite development, Dan Ashworth, added: "It's really dangerous to copy another country, but it would be remiss of us not to look at some of the lessons other countries have had.
"Certainly two that spring to mind are Belgium and Germany, who have had strong programmes and leadership from their associations, and a clear direction. In that respect it's similar - what we're doing is not the same as those two but we do have a vision."
England U21 manager Gareth Southgate was equally enthusastic over the announcement and said: "It's not just about the number of caps - it's the types of experiences.
"Historically our games programme was just against Europeans, and we've tried to extend that. It's no use playing nations that don't stretch is, as we quite often get in qualifying groups.
"We've got to play world opposition, and teams we might lose to. Then, also, the clubs view that as an experience that makes it worth their players going."
Jesus, we built St. Georges Park in order to copy the French model at Claire Fontaine, then we said that the Spanish way was the best, and that our clubs needed to take more of a role, like the Barca academy. Now it's Belgium that have got it right.........
The strikers are set to face each other in Saturday’s Premier League match at Loftus Road and Dyche feels changing attitudes in football could see the former non-league players represent their country in the future.
QPR forward Austin has scored seven times in 13 games this season to make him the joint-top English goalscorer in the top-flight along with West Brom's Saido Berahino, who recently received a call-up to England’s senior squad.
Ings has also started to impress in his first season in the Premier League having found the target for Burnley three times in November.
He also scored twice for the England U21s at Turf Moor last month and the pair are being talked of as future members of national manager Roy Hodgson's senior set-up.
"There have been similar stories," said Dyche.
"There was a time when you wouldn't have thought Kevin Davies would have got in there so late. (Rickie) Lambert has got in there late, so it is changing.
"The viewpoint on football is changing. It's about form, and player availability can come into it as well."
The 25-year-old has not played for the club since August 31 after he initially strained a thigh during an England training session.
On the eve of his Liverpool comeback he pulled a calf muscle in his first full training session back with the first team and just when he appeared to have got over that he sustained another, different, thigh injury which has ruled him out until the new year.
Reds manager Brendan Rodgers said last month that the club may have to look even deeper into the root of Sturridge's problems.
This is the ninth separate, but similar, injury he has had in his career, with the player suggesting the issue may be hereditary as his father, a trainee at Birmingham, and two uncles Dean and Simon - both professional footballers - also suffered the same problems.
The striker has reportedly travelled to America to undergo warm-weather training and rehabilitation to help with his recovery for a fortnight. He has not gone to the United States to have any medical treatment or procedure.
"He has gone away to get some specific work in with some of our staff and he is coming along well," said Rodgers.
Sturridge also posted about his recovery on Instagram.
“Don't worry bout me.. People don't count me out cause I got people counting on me. Working hard every day to get back fit... Just know.... I'll be back stronger and better than ever!!”
Dann's slip allowed Christian Benteke to fire the only goal of the game at Selhurst Park and earn Paul Lambert's men a much needed three points, and their first win in 10 matches.
It was also Benteke's first goal after nine months battling knee surgery and it dragged Palace back into the relegation mire.
"It's nice for people to talk about you in that way," said Dann of calls for him to earn England recognition after Neil Warnock described him as Palace's "outstanding player" at the weekend.
"But as a professional you just get on with your job: I have just got to concentrate on my club form and make sure I don't many any more mistakes like that.
"The more consistent I can be for Palace, the more chance I have got. It is just a case of trying to keep improving and to keep doing the best I can."
Palace have now slipped to five defeats in eight games and former Blackburn defender Dann admitted Warnock's men face a tough challenge to hit back to form in Saturday's league clash at Tottenham.
"It is always a tough game at White Hart Lane," said Dann. "They are a big club and have got a lot of top players. They have just started picking up results but we need to sharpen up in the final third.
"It is hard to take because we had a lot of the ball and had a lot of chances. We probably should have put some of them away. We played well and dominated the game and they did not have many chances at all.
"Even when we went a goal down I thought we looked in control and looked like we could have scored. We got the ball into crossing positions but just could not get it right."
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ArticleComments (8) Liverpool lose injured Johnson
Glen Johnson will be out of action for at least a month after tearing a groin muscle in Liverpool's defeat to Manchester United last weekend.
Last Updated: 17/12/14 at 13:58 Post Comment England RSS FeedBookmark with del.icio.usSave to iGoogleSave to My YahooSubmit to redditShare on StumbleUpon Glen Johnson: Misses Christmas fixtures
The England full-back was replaced by Kolo Toure during the first half of United's 3-0 Super Sunday win and later told Sky Sports he had suffered a tear to the muscle.
Johnson, who will be out of contract next June, is now facing a second significant spell on the sidelines after missing almost six weeks with a thigh injury in the autumn.
And Brendan Rodgers goes into Christmas without one of his most trusted defenders as he aims to turn around a run of form which has seen Liverpool win just two of their last 10 games.
There are alternatives available to Rodgers, who has used Johnson on both flanks this season. Javi Manquillo has started nine times in the Premier League and is the obvious choice to fill in at right-back, while Alberto Moreno and Jose Enrique have played at left-back in recent weeks.
And Jon Flanagan, a regular in the second half of last season, is on his way back after a knee injury.
Comments on here are funny, since he scored the winner against Stoke, this guy has been no better or worse than anyone else, but, strangely, always cops the flak from the supporters. Be interesting to see how they react when Flanagan comes back into the side. And there's even someone on here comenting on Toure who has played ok this season every time I have been watching. Nothing like having the same predictable scapegoats.
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e have the personnel. The trick is keeping them fit. Carrick and Blind have missed large chunks of the season, while the defence has been one muddled mess of intermittent stooges, all coming and going at various intervals thus far. We may be just short of title winning quality, but we're half way through. An injury crisis to either of the top two could change things. Optimistic, yes, but not unrealistic.
HarryBoulton One Point And One Conclusion For United P
arish is the man to blame for this shambles. Pulis must be chuckling into his left over turkey sandwich. I pray this doesn't mean the Neil Warnock media machine will kick in now and he'll be back on the telly box.
magicfuller Warnock sacked by Palace W
e almost found a new way to lose, just when I thought it was getting boring Giroud does that. Although Arsenal are deservedly called 'soft' the entire midfield is out injured. Still must admit MU are managing to win despite a similar raft of absentees. Think the Gunners have good players but poorly coached.
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The full-back has not played for Spurs' first team since March and missed out on England's World Cup squad because of the long-standing problem.
Doctors decided to operate in September, and Monday night's outing against Manchester City's U21s at Stevenage was his first competitive football in more than eight months.
Walker started the game and lasted 67 minutes of a 2-1 win. Afterwards he tweeted: "Felt good to back on the pitch tonight with the U21s, nice to cap it with a win too.
"Thanks to the medical team, the fans, my friends and most of all my family for standing by me whilst injured. Always light at the end of the tunnel."
The game also saw the return of Spurs' South Africa defender Bongani Khumalo, who has been out since March with a knee injury.
Khumalo made 30 league starts during a loan spell with Doncaster last season before he was injured while away with his country.
The claim is an ambitious target for Sampson, who was appointed to the England post a year ago from his position at Women’s Super League side Bristol Academy.
Now, however, his focus is on pushing England – ranked sixth in the world – through to the quarter-finals of next year’s World Cup in Canada.
"We’ve never got beyond a knockout game in a World Cup, so we want to be the first England team to win a knockout game at the tournament," Sampson said.
"Once you win a knockout game you progress into the quarter-final. You are then in a position when you can start to reassess your ambitions. On a one-on-one basis I believe this team can beat anyone."
In April, Sampson made the decision to appoint 25-year-old Steph Houghton as captain. Houghton replaced incumbent Casey Stoney, 32, in a move Sampson said would provide England with a captain to "lead the side for a long time coming”.
"Casey did an excellent job not only for England but also for Team GB in 2012, so making that decision was a very difficult decision for us," Sampson said.
"It speaks volumes of the type of people we’ve got and the type of character Casey is that she’s now accepted a very different role in the group."
Drawn in Group F for the tournament, England will face France, Mexico and Colombia.
England were scheduled to play a friendly fixture against France in April, but the match has been postponed given the teams are due to face each other in the World Cup.
Sampson said another opponent would be named for an April fixture, but in the meantime England will have a busy preparation ahead of their February 13 friendly against USA, ranked second in the world.
Mark Sampson's team will be based in Moncton for their first two games next summer, facing old rivals France on June 9 and then Mexico four days later.
Their final game on June 17 will be against Colombia at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, meaning they avoid having to make the long trip to western Canada before the knockout stages, should they go that far in the tournament.
The top two teams in each group, plus the four best third-placed teams, progress to the last-16.
England won all 10 of their qualifying matches, as did France who are ranked No 4 in the world, but they came unstuck in front of a 45,000 strong record crowd at Wembley last month when going down 3-0 to Germany. They are also due to meet France in a friendly in April.
The winner of Group F plays their first knockout match in Montreal with the runner-up going to nearby Ottawa, but the 'prize' for finishing third would be a long cross-country trip to Edmonton or Vancouver to play against one of the other group winners.
England have reached the quarter-finals in each of their three previous World Cup appearances, and have ambitions of improving on those showings backed by a significant investment from the Football Association.
Sampson told Sky Sports News HQ: “It’s really exciting to look at the make-up of the groups. There are lots of difficult games and it’s very difficult to predict which teams will go through.
“From our point of view, obviously big challenges lie ahead of us and they are three different styles of opponents.
“We have got a long history against the French and unfortunately for us it is not a very positive one and it’s about time that changed.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge for us, they are certainly a top-tier nation - great players and an excellent coach - but you have got to be ready for that challenge and try and change the history we have got against them.
“Colombia and Mexico are teams that have qualified well against good teams - Mexico gave USA a right good game and Colombia picked up a 0-0 draw against a very talented and strongly-fancied Brazilian team.
“So they are three different challenges and we will have to do our homework and make sure we are ready for all of those challenges.”
The toughest section would seem to be Group D, where two-time champions the United States face European powerhouse Sweden and top-10 ranked Australia.
Adding intrigue to the match-up between the United States and Sweden, current Sweden manager Pia Sundhage guided the Americans to back-to-back Olympic titles before taking the helm in her native country in September of 2012.
Draw in full:
Group A (Edmonton): Canada, New Zealand, China, Netherlands
Group B (Ottawa): Germany, Ivory Coast, Thailand, Norway
Group C (Vancouver): Japan, Cameroon, Ecuador, Switzerland
Group D (Winnipeg): USA, Nigeria, Australia, Sweden
Group E (Montreal): Brazil, Costa Rica, South Korea, Spain
Group F (Moncton): France, Mexico, Colombia, England
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