Interesting to note from tonight’s programme that the last time Swans played Birmingham at home in a League game was August 1994 when Swans lost 0-2 in front of 5,797, our highest gate of that season. It is some measure of how far we have come both on and of the field.
Birmingham came with an array of stars in both their starting line up and on the bench but just 705 Blues fans made the short journey down the M5/M50.
Jason Scotland, as expected, started on the bench after his midweek transatlantic hop, meaning a rare start for Gorka Pintado. Dorus de Vries having recovered from his awful injury made a welcome return to the bench.
Side - Konstantopoulos, Rangel, Monk, Williams, Bessone, Gomez, Britton, Bodde, Pratley, Gower, Pintado. Subs- de Vries, Tate, Brandy, Bauza, Scotland.
It took Swans just 90 seconds to take the lead with a stupendous goal. Mark Gower left two defenders for dead with some intricate footwork and freed Fede Bessone down the left. Blues centre half Radhi Jaidi had to come across and Bessone rounded him before firing a low hard cross that picked up Jordi Gomez. Gomez met the ball perfectly and fired into the corner of the net before Maik Taylor in the Birmingham goal could move.
Just a minute later and Swans could have been 2-0 up. Maik
Taylor thought he could get to a Ferrie Bodde’s forward ball
before Gorka Pintado but the Spaniard’s pace proved his undoing.
Pintado picked out Darren Pratley with a pass and with Taylor
still well out of his goal, Pratley’s first time effort looked
goal bound but was blocked by Jaidi.
Swans were playing some delightful football and Birmingham were pegged back in their own half for long periods.
On 15 minutes another flowing Swans move cut the Birmingham defence to shreds. Gorka Pintado received the ball in the box. His first touch was excellent and he rounded his marker and from just 8 yards out he really should have scored but he fired almost directly at Taylor who saved low down to his right.
Pintado had another chance racing onto a through ball from Ferrie Bodde but this time his first touch was poor and Taylor was able to collect. He had yet another golden opportunity when he got on the end of another Fede Bessone cross. He met the cross perfectly but headed against the inside of the post with the ball spinning away to safety.
There was no doubt Swans had caught Birmingham cold with the early goal but Swans couldn’t add to the scoreline despite creating so many clear chances.
Birmingham’s frustration at not being able to get into the game saw them get physical and several rash challenges went unpunished by referee Mr Taylor before he inexplicably booked Jordi Gomez for an innocuous challenge. James McFadden was booked for catching Leon Britton in the face with a stray arm and Marcus Bent was also shown a card for dissent.
The turning point of the game came with Ferrie Bodde trying to shepherd the ball out of play. He was bundled over as the ball was going out of play and immediately signalled to the bench he had suffered a serious injury. After several minutes delay he was stretchered off with a knee injury.
With no midfielder on the bench, Guillem Bauza came on for Ferrie Bodde. This involved Darren Pratley dropping back into the holding role with Bussy playing the attacking midfield role.
The injury to Bodde or the change of personnel, whichever it was, transformed the game. Swans were no longer the dominant force and Birmingham were beginning to play some decent stuff.
On 41 minutes a superb cross field ball caught Fede Bessone in a dilemma. Should he try to intercept the ball or try to cover the run of full back Nicky Hunt. As it turned out his moments hesitation meant he did neither and Hunt was away down the right wing. Hunt cross to the far post was perfection and Marcus Bent headed home to level rather undeservedly.
Leon Britton went close in injury time dragging his shot wide.
Just as every Swans fan must have been wondering how we weren’t going in at half time ahead, in the fourth minute of injury time, Swans took the lead again.
Angel Rangel made a terrific run down the right. He reached the bye line and then cut in toward goal before sliding the ball into the near post. A whole gaggle of defenders and the goalkeeper together with Gorka Pintado and Darren Pratley converged on the ball and it seems the ball came off the unlucky Redhi Jaidi and squirmed over the line.
Alex McLeish obviously had some stern words at half time and Birmingham came out for the second half fully two minutes before the Swans. The plan worked and immediately it was Birmingham that took the upper hand.
Swans were defending well however and Birmingham were unable to create any clear cut chances.
Only on one occasion was there a threat and Garry Monk intervened with a tremendous challenge.
The games second turning point came on 64 minutes with the introduction of Kevin Phillips. He replaced Quincy Owusu-Abeyie with James McFaddon dropping back to the left wing.
Swans just couldn’t retain possession any longer and most Swans fans at this stage would have been counting the minutes down.
Leon Britton was starting to hobble around holding his back and his necessary substitution once more highlighted our lack of cover for midfield players with Jason Scotland having to replace him.
With both Guillem Bauza and Jordi Gomez offering very little in a defensive capacity Darren Pratley was starting to get overrun in midfield.
Kevin Phillips then highlighted the importance of having a clinical finisher in your side. On 73 minutes James McFadden picked him out with a cross. Despite being several inches shorter than any Swans defender he rose above them and fired a header into the top corner of the net.
Five minutes later and Phillips got his second and Birmingham’s third. Ashley Williams under pressure made a total hash of a clearance and within seconds the ball was through to Kevin Phillips. He collected the ball 20 yards out wasn’t closed down quickly enough and fired a dipping shot that seemed to deceive Dimi Konstantopolous.
From there on in Swans had nothing left. Febian Brandy came on for Gorka Pintado but the now front two were starved of the ball. Birmingham looked the fitter, stronger and hungrier which was a complete turn around to what we had seen early on.
By the end the referees whistle was almost welcomed as it was Birmingham that were certainly looking the more likely scorers.
So Swans lose their proud home unbeaten League record but there is no shame in losing to a quality Birmingham side. The hard part is the lesson we were handed in finishing. Unfortunately it’s a lesson that only a large cheque can cure.
Ratings-
Konstatopolous 6 – No chance with two of the goals. Didn’t dominate his box at all.
Rangel 7 – Terrific run for goal but allowed James McFadden
to cross for Kevin Phillips first goal.
Monk 7 – Did well despite opponents scoring three goals.
Williams 6 – Not his best game and dreadful error for
Birmingham’s third.
Bessone 7 – Great going forward and punished hard for one
defence slip.
Gomez 6 – Great early goal but anonymous second half.
Britton 9 – What can you say about the guy. Made Lee Carsley
look an idiot at times. Bodde 8 – Was running the game until his
unfortunate departure.
Pratley 7 – tried his heart out and fighting the midfield battle
on his own for the last 20 minutes.
Gower 6 – Great first half but another who drifted out of the
game.
Pintado 6 – Did some terrific work but as a striker you will always be judged on your goal scoring and his changes to goals ratio is poor at the moment.
Subs-
Bauza 5 – Certainly not the answer in midfield. Gave the ball
away far too easily. S
cotland 6 – Starved of the ball.
Brandy 6 – As above.
