Birmingham emerged from a fire and brimstone local derby with a
promotion-seeking win but with only nine players on the field at the final
whistle.
In a controversial second half both Martin O'Connor and Bryan Hughes were
shown the red card by referee Eddie Wolstenholme, who awarded no less than 42
free-kicks in a highly competitive game.
Tempers were often frayed and Birmingham must have had mixed feelings after
their victory as they will now lack the services of O'Connor and Hughes for
vital games.
But the Blues will have been pleased to halt a depressing run against Wolves,
who had won their three previous encounters.
Goalkeeper Thomas Myhre, who only joined Birmingham from Everton less than 24
hours before the game on a special dispensation following injuries sustained by
Ian Bennett and Kevin Poole, was their first-half hero.
Myhre saved a penalty from Wolves skipper Keith Curle after Darren Purse had
needlessly handled a cross from on-loan Allan Nielsen.
Curle, who had converted his previous three penalties this season, attempted
to sidefoot the ball into the net but Myhre dived to his left to save at the
foot of the post.
Birmingham were undoubtedly boosted by this save and they were often the more
dangerous side with Wolves goalkeeper Michael Oakes in continual action, saving
from Hughes and Isaiah Rankin.
The breakthrough occurred in the 64th minute following a well-rehearsed move
as Gary Rowett's left-wing corner to the far post was headed into the top far
corner of the net by David Holdsworth.
Feelings on and off the pitch often reached boiling point, as indicated in the
first half when Wolves manager Colin Lee was spoken to by a policeman during a
heated verbal exchange with Birmingham coach Ian Bowyer.
But it was nothing compared to the hectic finish to the game when O'Connor was
given his marching orders.
The Birmingham skipper was attempting to shield the ball near the corner flag
when he violently lashed out at Kevin Muscat.
Referee Wolstenholme, after consulting his linesmen who was only five yards
away from the incident, sent off the Birmingham player.
In the closing stages Wolstenholme's red card again appeared when Hughes was
sent off for allegedly diving in the centre circle, an action which earned him
his second yellow card and banishment from the pitch.
While Birmingham stay very much in contention for a promotion play-off, the
defeat suffered by Wolves now puts them seven points adrift of their midlands
rivals.
Teams:
Birmingham: Myhre, Rowett, Purse, Holdsworth, M. Johnson,
Grainger, Hughes, O'Connor, Lazaridis (Campbell 64),
Rankin (Marcelo 29), Furlong (Adebola 74).
Subs Not Used: Charlton, A. Johnson.
Sent Off: O'Connor (80), Hughes (89).
Booked: Purse, Hughes, Grainger.
Goals: Holdsworth 53.
Wolverhampton: Oakes, Muscat, Pollet, Curle, Emblen, Bazeley,
Robinson (Branch 74), Sinton (Ndah 45), Sedgley, Nielsen,
Akinbiyi.
Subs Not Used: Osborn, Taylor, Petterson.
Booked: Pollet.
Att: 29,050
Ref: E Wolstenholme (Blackburn).
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook