LARSSON'S SCREAMER STEALS POINTS IN MCLEISH DEBUTSebatian Larsson's 92nd minute screamer brought Juande Ramos’ unbeaten start as Tottenham manager to an end and unbridled joy for Birmingham’s new manager, Alex McLeish, who saw his team win 3-2 in his first game.
In a highly entertaining match McLeish, who relinquished his position as Scottish national manger in midweek, made three changes to the side who lost at home to Portsmouth last weekend. Most significantly 36-year-old Maik Taylor was recalled between the sticks.
The Northern Ireland ‘keeper’s heroics, particularly in the first half, ensured the three points for the visitors, as Birmingham went into the break not only with a clean sheet but also somehow in front, thanks to Gary McSheffrey’s 24th minute penalty.
They had managed only one shot in the half – Daniel De Ridder’s second minute strike, which screwed well wide – compared with Tottenham’s 10 efforts, four of which were on target.
Taylor was first called into action in the tenth minute when centre-back Johan Djourou misguided a headed clearance – the ball falling kindly for Dimitar Berbatov 12 yards from the goal. The Bulgarian forward struck his gilt edge opportunity straight at the grateful ‘keeper.
It was all Spurs, and after 20 minutes Berbatov’s inside-out through ball found Darren Bent, whose swiveled shot from six yards was deflected agonisingly wide by Taylor.
Taylor’s best save came after Birmingham had opened the scoring though McSheffrey’s spot-kick. In Birmingham’s solitary first half attack, the beleaguered Younes Kaboul, who missed Thursday’s game due to groin injury, chopped down the former Coventry forward. He stepped up to the spot and cracked the penalty straight, as Paul Robinson dived to his left.
Taylor had to be at his best to keep Birmingham’s sheet clean before the interval, and showed just why his Scottish manager selected him over Richard Kingson when Gareth Bale’s free kick was saved.
The 18-year-old curled his centrally positioned, 30 yard shot towards the top right-hand corner, only for Taylor to reach the ball with the tips of his fingers, and turn it round the post. Bale, just recovered from a metatarsal injury, was to later limp off, much to the frustration of Ramos, who is short of left-backs in his squad. The Welshman was seen with his right foot in a cast after the game, and could only walk with the help of crutches.
Ramos rang the changes at the break, replacing Bent with Jemaine Defoe, and Kaboul with Tom Huddlestone, and it paid dividends almost immediately.
After only five minutes Spurs had equalised through Robbie Keane, after Djourou had tugged back Berbatov in the box. The Republic of Ireland striker then latched onto Huddlestone’s lofted ball, after Fabrice Muamba had failed to clear from a corner. His finish, with the studs of his right boot, put Ramos’ team ahead, and the relief was tangible.
However, Keane was to turn from hero to villain after being shown a straight red card with 20 minutes remaining; his late tackle on Djourou, being deemed dangerous by referee Phil Dowd.
Cameron Jerome had leveled the scores six minutes before Keane’s ejection, with a rare Birmingham attack, but it was midfielder Larsson who will rightfully claim Monday’s headlines. It was the third time that Spurs have conceded in injury time this season, after leaking late goals against Fulham and Blackburn.
To rub salt into Tottenham’s wounds, Larsson is a former Arsenal player, but his 30 yard crackerjack shot powered into the top right-hand corner, passed the groping hand of England No1 Robinson, and lifts Birmingham two points above their north London hosts.
Labels: Alex McLeish, Birmingham, Juande Ramos, Premier League, Tottenham
