Gardner the hero as Blues claim final berth

LIFELONG Birmingham fan Craig Gardner sent City through to their first major Wembley final for 55 years with an extra-time winner in last night’s Carling Cup semi-final clash with West Ham at St Andrew’s.

Gardner’s goal — via Robert Green’s blunder — capped a dramatic comeback by Alex McLeish’s side who had fallen 3-1 behind on aggregate after Carlton Cole’s superb first-half strike.

Lee Bowyer and Roger Johnson forced the game into extra-time before Gardner’s moment of glory.