Birmingham City continued its top flight record unbeaten streak, with its tenth consecutive result. Today’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea at St Andrews was another tactical masterpiece by manager Alex McLeish.
Chelsea’s recent struggles continued, and for the third consecutive game, Chelsea were the beneficiaries of a controversial call that affected a goal. In the previous two Premier League fixtures, Chelsea has received generous penalty calls. Today, Christian Benitez’s perfectly good goal was waved off due to an incorrect offside call. Today Peter Walton waived off the Birmingham goal.
Despite this, Chelsea was unable to convert several chances into a winning goal. Those analysts and fans who do not regularly watch Birmingham will state that Chelsea was the superior side. It may have appeared that way, but this match followed the script of virtually every Birmingham City match this season.
McLeish’s side continues keep its shape well at the back and by design cough up possession, while not exposing itself by pushing too many bodies forward. Birmingham’s performances against top sides this year have all been impressive owing itself to the same tactical setup, and the veteran nature of the Blues side. Birmingham keeps its shape better than any side I have watched in the Premier League all year and has consistently maintained its style from match to match, all season long.
British football veterans such as Stephen Carr, Lee Bowyer, Barry Ferguson, and Lee Carsley have helped to keep Birmingham steady and in control. But perhaps, supporters of the club will be ruing another chance to take three full points against a big four side.
Recall, earlier this season Birmingham conceded a late lead at Anfield thanks to David N’gog simulation in the box which was rewarded with a penalty. Ironically enough, Peter Walton was the official that day as well.
In today’s world of football punditry, which is driven by style and often times a bias towards big clubs, Birmingham’s tactical setup has been mistaken for “being on the back foot.” In fact if anything, McLeish’s side has controlled the tempo and pace of matches much to the consternation of their opposition.
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