THE day before this match, Birmingham’s Craig Gardner was lying at home feeling ill and doubtful to line up against Everton.
But the England U21 international not only rose from his sick bed, he grabbed the glory by becoming Blues’ match-saving hero.
Gardner’s left-footed equaliser was his first goal for Birmingham following his move across the city in January from Aston Villa. Having failed to make it at Villa, Gardner was looking for regular first-team football. Now Blues manager Alex McLeish is feeling pleased with his £3 million purchase and believes Gardner will fit in perfectly at St Andrew’s.
McLeish tried to sign the lifelong Blues supporter last season and feels he has all the qualities to carve out a successful career.
He said: "Hunger is a massive thing when you sign a player. It is high on my list of priorities along with things like desire and determination and Craig has those qualities.
"We have seen a lot of brilliant talents who are wasted because they don’t have that fire. I’ve seen Craig over a number of years. I’ve seen him play a lot of reserve games, and fleetingly in Villa’s first team, and I know that Martin O’Neill liked him because he is versatile.
"I was pleased with him because he was ill on Friday and was a doubt to play. But I know the type of character he is. He’s got a heart and he would want to play through injury or illness.
"That goal would have meant a lot to him. He is a dyed-in-the-wool Blues fan."
Gardner said: "People ask if it was a downward step to leave Villa but I don’t see it that way at all. If I was not playing at Villa, I needed to go and play somewhere else and I knew when I came here I had to be patient to get my chance.
"I have been patient and I’ve got my chance and hopefully showed a bit in my favour so I can stay in the team.
"I always knew what Birmingham were like. They have got that never-say-die attitude and I spoke to a few of the lads before coming here and they said it is a brilliant place to be.
"When I signed, even if Blues were down the bottom, I would have come, but to be in the top half of the table is an absolute dream come true. There is a great atmosphere here and the gaffer is brilliant."
Everton looked in command after opening up a 2-0 lead within 22 minutes through goals from Anichebe and Yakubu. But replies from Cameron Jerome – his third in two games – and Gardner ensured Birmingham preserved their six-month unbeaten home record.
David Moyes is refusing to contemplate the prospect of Everton sneaking into a Europa League spot.
He said: "If we did that, it would be something big. It is not something I am discussing at the moment until we get on another real serious run where we are winning and clawing something back. A point is not going to claw anything back.
"We were disappointed with the result but the team is playing really well. We could have had all three points but credit to Birmingham for fighting back.
"We feel as if we did enough to score more goals but the goalkeeper made a couple of good saves.
"I feel the way we are playing at the moment, is as good as anyone in the country."
MATCH RATING: *** – It would have been easy for Birmingham to fold after Everton took an early 2-0 lead, but they fought back providing an entertaining climax to the game.
REFEREE: Lee Probert (Wiltshire) 5 – David Moyes thought Everton should have had two penalties – one when Roger Johnson’s outstretched arm blocked Steven Peinaar’s attempted shot, the other a few minutes later when the ball hit Craig Gardner’s arm in the box.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, March 15, 2010
