Birmingham compound Keegan's misery

Birmingham City 2 Manchester City 1

Mikael Forssell scored a freak late goal to earn Birmingham City their first home win in three months and pile on more misery for Kevin Keegan’s side.

Manchester defender Richard Dunne cleared a cross from Savage but the ball rebounded off Forsell and past a helpless David Seaman for his eighth goal of the campaign.

It capped a late fightback by the home side after Robbie Fowler’s goal had looked set to end a run of nine games without a win for the visitors.

But then Birmingham skipper Jeff Kenna scored a rare goal to bring his side back on level terms before Forssell earned them their first home win since the 2-0 success over Portsmouth on September 27.

In terms of possession Birmingham dominated for long periods and in the second period it was one-way traffic towards the visitors’ goal.

Referee Uriah Rennie rejected two strong penalty claims from the home side for challenges on Forssell by Dunne and David Sommeil.

But for all the home side’s territorial advantage they lacked the final cutting edge and quality ball needed to prise open a rock solid defence before their late goal show.

And, even when Seaman flapped at the ball in the air on more than one occasion, there were bodies in numbers to avert the danger.

But Birmingham persevered to leave Keegan under further pressure after a run of just two points from the last 21.

Birmingham striker Clinton Morrison, looking to build on his goal-scoring return to the starting line-up at Leicester a fortnight ago, produced the first worthwhile attempt on goal.

But his curling 20 yard shot flashed just past Seaman’s post after his strike partner Mikael Forsell had set up the opportunity.

A first time pass from the Finnish international was only just too strong for Morrison to take in his stride as Birmingham made a promising start.

Robbie Savage became the first player to be yellow-carded in the 10 minute by referee Uriah Rennie for a mis-timed challenge on Fowler.

Then after 14 minutes Fowler repaid the continued faith shown in him by Kevin Keegan by doubling his league tally for the campaign.

Steve McManaman took a quick free-kick and found Shaun Wright-Phillips in acres of space on the right flank.

He had time to steady himself before supplying a powerful dipping cross which was met by Fowler who beat Birmingham ’keeper Maik Taylor all ends up with his diving header.

The home side tried to retaliate and Seaman looked uncomfortable in dealing with crosses and twice made a mess of trying to punch away a left-wing centre from Stan Lazaridis but the home side were unable to capitalise.

Steve Bruce’s side had most of the first half possession although Taylor had to cling onto a low 20 yard effort from Nicolas Anelka.

Sylvain Distin put in an important interception to deny Damien Johnson from running onto a pass from David Dunn.

Then Morrison’s close control let him down when a ball was played into his path by Lazaridis who was having to play at left-back in the absence of the injured Jamie Clapham.

Birmingham came out for the second half all guns blazing and Dunn found himself clear in the penalty box after receiving a pass from Forssell.

But the former England Under-21 skipper delayed his shot and Dunne was able to make the tackle.

Forssell was halted by a strong challenge by Sun Jihai amidst vain appeals for a penalty after Johnson had supplied the telling pass.

Then Forssell back-heeled the ball behind the onrushing Dunn after Morrison had sent in a low centre.

Savage went for glory and launched a fierce cross-shot across the face of goal when he would have been better trying to find one of a posse of Birmingham players waiting in the box.

Rennie then rejected further penalty claims after a challenge on Sommeil on Forssell before Matthew Upson was booked for a ugly challenge on Barton.

But the home side eventually got their reward when Kenna headed home his first goal for 13 months after Savage’s free-kick rebounded off the post into his path - and then came Forssell’s fortuitous decider.