Carsley breaks duck

Plymouth 0-1 BLUES

Lee Carsley scores his first goal for Blues to secure all three points for McLeish's men at Home Park tonight.

Blues who were battered throughout by the home side snatched a vital win especially with teams around them pushing for promotion also winning.

The Pilgrims started the better applying early pressure to a make shift Blues backline. McLeish was forced make several changes to the side that beat Watford on Saturday.

Liam Ridgewell failed to recover from a virus and therefore Martin Taylor kept his place at the heart of the Blues defence. Seb Larsson was also ruled out after picking up a strain at the weekend. James McFadden (groin) also missed the trip to Home Park and was replaced by Quincy down the left hand side.

McLeish got his boys in 0-0 at the break but Plyouth picked up from where they left off in the early stages after the break with on loan striker Paul Gallagher and Rory Fallon causing the visitors major problems, which thankfully Maik Taylor was equal too.

Having weathered the storm Blues did begin to get a foothold in the game when Quincy broke clear inside the box only to see his effort crash against the bar and get cleared for a corner as Blues attacked the end consisting of the 791 Blues fans that made the long trip down to the south coast.

Blues broke the deadlock from the resulting corner as the ball broke loose inside the area and saw Carsley finish to score his first goal for his new club. Emotion was there for all to see as Carsley ran away to celebrate with the away fans who went wild as the ball hit the back of the net.

Blues had half an hour remaining and stood tall throughout with a battling spirit which revealed the signs of champions. Cameron Jermome came on for the last 15 minutes in replace of Marus Bent and helped by some much needed time for Blues late on with his pace causing real dangers.

Jerome could have wrapped it up with five minutes remaining when he blasted over from six yards out after Stuart Parnaby had worked the opportunity well down the right. But it wasn't meant to be as Blues were forced to hold out right to the end and when the whistle ended proceedings, their relief was shown as they celebrated a quite determined away win despite Plymouth throwing everything at Blues.

Wolves beat Derby 3-0 and Reading also won at home 1-0 against struggling Blackpool. A great win for Blues away from home considering the injuries and they now go to Preston on Saturday night for a 5.20pm kick off.

BLUES 3-2 Watford

Another 3-2 thriller at St Andrews earns McLeish's men their third successive home victory against Watford to move within three points of table-topping Wolves.

Blues didn't have it all their own way early on as the visitors toke the lead through Tamas Priskin after the Blues defence were left wanting after only seven minutes.

Kevin Phillips hit back however one minute later with a trade mark header from 12 yards out and it was a superb strike from Marcus Bent on 18 to complete the quick fire come back and earn his first goal at St Andrews this season.

McLeish had made three changes to the side that drew at Wolves last weekend. Liam Ridgwell (virus) and James McFadden (groin) were unavailable for selection and saw Martin Taylor and Quincy come in to replace them. The other change saw Sebastian Larsson come back into the starting 11 in place of David Murphy having missed the trip to the Molineux for personal reasons.

Blues took a well deserved 2-1 lead into half time after an early scare bought the home side alive. After the break Watford came out the better side as they went in search of an equaliser and on the hour mark Blues did have the woodwork to thank for retaining their advantage when a 35 yard free kick from Leigh Bromby hit the bar and went over.

On 73, Bent made way for Cameron Jerome who received a deserved standing ovation for his efforts and on 85 Jerome looked to have sealed the points when he went through into the box on the left hand side and curled a Beckham-esque attempt against the Tilton Road End to the relief of the Blues faithful.

With only a minute of normal time remaining Blues made it difficult for themselves again as the hosts failed to clear an in-swinging corner that fell loose and saw Ross Jenkins smash the ball home past Maik Taylor to give Blues fans a nervy four minutes of injury time.

Blues held on despite the late efforts of the visitors and with Wolves going down in London 1-0 at QPR, McLeish's men move within three points of their promotion rivals.

Wolves 1-1 BLUES

HONOURS even at the Molineux in the big Birmingham-Black Country derby despite Blues looking good for all three points when Cameron Jerome put the away side ahead minutes into the second half.

McLeish's men were the better of the two sides over the 90 minutes and deserved their lead just after the restart as Jerome's pace was too much for Richard Stearman. Wolves hit back however through Sylvan Ebanks-Blake with only 15 minutes remaining.

A foggy afternoon at the Molineux saw the away side enjoy the majority of possession throughout the early stages. Lee Carsley and Nigel Quashie were able to get the ball down and run things in midfield.

Blues had several chances in the first half to put the game beyond the home side as Kevin Phillips missed from point blank range after Liam Ridgewell had knocked the ball down for Phillips to hit a half volley. The biggest talking point at half time however was James McFadden's disallowed goal that should have stood. McFadden had beaten the offside trap and went on to smash the ball home past keeper Wayne Hennessey only to see the linesman's flag go up.

Just before the break Nicky Hunt limped off with a hamstring problem which left McLeish with no other option but to bring on Medhi Nafti at an unfamiliar right back position. At the break McLeish made his second substitution as Phillips wasn't able to continue due to fitness reasons.

His replacement broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half as a hopefull ball up field from Quashie saw Jerome use his pace to get in behind Stearman and send Hennessey the wrong way. The travelling Blues fans went wild as Blues now had a lead to protect throughout the remainder of the game.

Inevitably Wolves came back at Blues in search of an equaliser but the Blues back line stood tall with a very professional look about Radhi Jaidi, Ridgewell and Franck Queudrue at the heart of the Blues defence. Maik Taylor also played his part in keeping the home side out.

On 74 however Blues hearts were broken as the evergreen Jaidi made his only mistake of the game which cost Blues all three points. Stephen Ward broke down the left hand side cutting in as he went past Nafti at right back. As he broke into the box his touch had looked to have giving Jaidi the chance the clear the ball away but it was miss judged by the big centre half which allowed Ward to cross to Ebanks-Blake who neatly finished low towards the far post.

Wolves could now smell the comeback as Blues really had to dig in deep and earn their money to prevent what would have been a disastrous winner for the home side. Maik Taylor especially who produced a flying save with two minutes to go, preventing Sam Vokes from scoring.

In injury time McLeish threw Quincy into battle for Marcus Bent but only to waste some precious seconds as Wolves pilled on the pressure. The lads stood firm however in what McLeish described as two points lost rather than a point gained.

This keeps Blues in the hunt for that all important top spot as they will now host Watford next Saturday at St Andrews while rivals Wolves travel to QPR.

BLUES 2-1 Ipswich

BLUES hold out for all three points to keep the pressure on their promotion rivals as two early strikes from Liam Ridgwell and Kevin Phillips were enough to seal the win.

Blues have now opened up a six point gap between third place Reading as they could only draw at Cardiff. Wolves continue their good form at Sheffield United winning 3-1.

Blues started where they left off on Friday against Swansea with pressure from the beginning. Kevin Phillips had a goal disallowed only five minutes in as he was caught offside, but moments later Ridgwell produced a great shot from six yards out straight into the top right hand corner to put his side ahead.

A rampant Blues had only five minutes to wait before they doubled their advantage through Phillips. Seb Larsson made a great run down the right from the half-way line to cross in a perfect ball which was met by Phillips who found a yard of space to guide his header past keeper Richard Wright.

Despite Ipswich not having a single shot on target throughout the first half, Blues were dealt a major blow after 28 minutes when skipper Lee Carsley was forced to leave the field of play with what appeared to be a muscle strain. He was replaced by Mehdi Nafti.

In the second half Ipswich came at Blues and started to cause some real problems. Only three minutes after the restart the Tractor Boys had a great chance to pull one back as a right wing corner was headed agonisingly wide by skipper Richard Naylor.

After Blues weathered the early Ipswich storm it was the cross bar that was the difference between Blues scoring again. James McFadden played a great ball through to the overlapping Franck Queudrue on the left. The French full-back used his skill to leave his marker but his shot smashed against the bar.

Blues suffered their second injury of the game on 65 minutes when Nigel Quashie limped off after going into a tackle. Kemy Agustien was on hand to replace him in the centre of midfield. Alex McLeish made his third and final substitution bringing off Queudrue for David Murphy who has recovered from his injury.

On 84, against the run of play Ipswich bought one back through centre half Alex Bruce as he headed in from a corner. However Ipswich failed to complete the comeback as the Blues backline stood strong.

Blues now travel to the Molineux on Saturday in good spirits looking to close the gap on the leaders.

Swansea 2-3 BLUES

'Super Kev' to the rescue again for Blues as a late brace from the substitute earns McLeish's men all three points at the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea suffered their first home league defeat of the season down to pure determination and desire not to give up.

Twice Blues came from behind to win the game, first when Marcus Bent grabbed an equaliser just before half time with a header at the back post after a great cross from on loan full back Nicky Hunt. Phillips was the difference when he came off the bench as he sealed a quick fire double to send Blues fans wild.

Blues were simply battered throughout the first half in which Swansea certainly deserved their lead. Jordi Gomez gave the home side the lead after one minute and 50 seconds as he smashed home from close range unmarked at the back post.

Despite Blues beginning to get a foothold back in the game, Swansea continued to press forcing a great point blank save from Maik Taylor before Gorka Pintado saw his towering header come back off the post.

With only 3 minutes left to play in the first half Blues got the equaliser against the run of play when Hunt found space down the right hand side who put in a great cross for Bent to score at the far post. This was cancelled out three minutes into first half injury time when Angel Rangel fired the ball hard and low into the penalty area which deflected off Liam Ridgewell to make its way over the line despite the last ditch efforts of Hunt to clear.

When the second half got under way Blues looked to be the better side as they finally managed to get the ball down and play some football. Blues were enjoying much more of the possession and were urged on by the 700 travelling supporters from the Midlands.

James McFadden had the first real chance to put the Blues back level as he went through but slipped at the vital moment in which he looked certain to score. Seb Larsson also went close with an attempted volley but saw his shot go wide.

McLeish decided to change things up in the midfield area as he bought Phillips on for Quincy. This saw McFadden move over the left hand side and Phillips partner Bent up top. Kemy Agustien was also introduced minutes later as he was bought on for Mehdi Nafti.

This inspired Blues as Swansea also lost two key players in the midfield. On 74 the super sub put Blues back level. Agustien found McFadden down the left hand side who whipped in a cross straight to the head of Phillips from a standing position. Phillips was mobbed by his teams mates after scoring his seventh goal of the campaign which put the Blues back on level terms for the second time in the game.

Only five minutes later super Kev put the travelling Blues fans in ecstacy. Bent rolled a short pass to Phillips who turned and produced a strike fitting to win any game leaving the Swansea keeper with no chance into the far corner.

This meant a nervy last 10 minutes for Blues but their defence stood tall. Another tremendous comeback from the boys shows the spirit and determination amongst the side and now closes the gap at the top of the Championship to three. Blues' first win on their travels in five now puts the pressure on their promotion rivals Wolves and Reading who play tomorrow afternoon.

Attendance: 16,956 (705) BLUES FANS

BLUES 3-2 Charlton

FRANCK Queudrue's first goal for Blues secured a thrilling second half comeback at St Andrews to earn McLeish's men all three vital points.

The frenchman scored what proved to be the winner only nine minutes into the second half as Blues held on despite going down to ten men after Nigel Quashie was shown a second yellow card with half an hour left to play.

The afternoon started perfectly for Blues when James McFadden produced a moment of magic to score past keeper Nicky Weaver. However the Addicks did hit back before the break to stun the 20,000 plus crowd through Hameur Bouazza and Andy Gray.

McLeish had made two changes to his side that drew at Forest last weekend. Kevin Phillips was recalled to the starting 11 to partner Marcus Bent up top for the first time this season. The other change was bringing Queudrue back into the team after recovering from an illness. Both players scoring in the second half to clinch a much needed victory to the relief of the home faithful.

It was Phillips who put Blues back level only five minutes into the second half on his 500th career appearance. A hopeful ball into the box by David Murphy saw Weaver make an absolute mess as he slipped to present Phillips with a routine header to the opposite corner.

Blues could now feel the come back was on and only five minutes after the equaliser it was Murphy again showing his skill inside the box as his shot was punched straight into the path of Queudrue who slotted the ball home to seal the win in front of the Tilton Road End.

After Blues were reduced to ten men Seb Larsson seemed to have a shout for a penalty but it was waved away by referee Keith Hill. Charlton did push for an equaliser late on as they tried their luck on several occasions but with saves from Maik Taylor Blues held on for a deserved victory despite going about it the hard way.

Nottingham Forest 1 - 1 BLUES

Another dissapointing away day for Blues as a second half header from James Perch gave Nottingham Forest a share of the spoils at The City Ground.

3,152 Blues fans turned out for the midlands derby and got behind the boys from start to finish but despite James McFadden giving the travelling fans something to cheer about in the 13th minute it was the Forest fans going home the happier.

Blues boss Alex McLeish made several changes to the side that was beat 0-1 at St Andrews on Monday night, giving Marcus Bent his first start of the season and pushing the ever present Liam Ridgewell over to left back in place of Franck Quedrue who went down ill overnight. There was also a first start for on loan midfielder Nigel Quashie.

Blues started the brightest of the sides as it only took two minutes for Kemy Agustien to flash a left-footed half volley wide of the target from the left hand side of the area.

10 minutes later Blues were ahead. A Seb Larsson free kick was only half cleared towards the edge of the box which fell to Marcus Bent who flicked over a sublime ball to carve open the Forest defence where McFadden took the ball round keep Lee Camp before slotting the ball home from an accute angle.

Blues grew in confidence after the goal and began to produce the football the Blues fans crave with McFadden at the heart of the attacking display but the home side did pick up the momentum and on 40, Joe Garner's header from 14 yards out was thankfully held onto by Maik Taylor in the Blues goal.

There were no changes at the break for either side and with only seven minutes gone Forest were back on level terms when James Perch headed low at the back post as the Blues failed to clear their lines. This gave the home side the edge as they went on to dominant the second half in which Radhi Jaidi was lucky not to see red.

McLeish had strength on the bench and used it by bringing on Cameron Jerome and Kevin Phillips but it was Forest who had the majority of chances with Blues occasionlly hitting Forest on the break. Nathan Tyson arguablly had the best chance to land the killer blow to the visitors as he ghosted in behind the Blues defence, chesting the ball down only to see his effort go narrowly wide of the mark.

Elsewhere in the Championship results went against the Blues as Wolves opened up a six point lead at the top with a 2-0 home win over Burnley, but Blues stay second despite wins for Reading and Sheffield United. Blues now host Charlton next Saturday afternoon at St Andrews in what looks to be a must win game for McLeish's men.

BLUES 0-1 Coventry

BLUES old boy Clinton Morrison came back to haunt his old club last night as his 53rd minute header dealt a set back to Blues' promotion campaign at St Andrews.

Morrison's header was turned in after Blues failed to deal with the corner which left McLeish's men defeated for the second time in less than a week.

Blues started the brightest of the sides as it only took 30 seconds for Cameron Jerome to unleash a snapshot which fell straight into the arms of keeper, Kieran Westwood. Despite the early possession Coventry did work their way back into the game with a header from Leon Best which Maik Taylor was equal to and a shot blasted off Taylor's bar from only eight yards out by ex-employee Morrison.

After the break there were no signs of the pace of the game letting up as it was Cameron Jerome who went through again only 3 minutes after the restart, however to see his strike from 10 yards blaze over.

Although Blues were attacking very dangerously in search of the opener Coventry continued to have a very good go at the home side and got their rewards as Morrison broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute. Coventry won a right hand corner against the Tilton Road End. Midfielder Guillaume Beuzelin flicked the corner on which was met by Morrison who found a yard of space and made no mistake inside the six yard box heading the ball into the top corner.

Blues almost immediately made amends when Liam Ridgwell saw his header clawed off the line by Westwood which fell to Kevin Phillips who also lacked accuracy as his effort smashed against the post. Westwood continued to impress in the Coventry goal as he kept James McFadden and Phillips out with 20 minutes remaining.

As the game entered its closing stages Blues looked to have rescued a point as Franck Queudrue seemed to have scrambled the ball over the line but the assistant referee didn't think so and play continued. Blues had one more final chance deep into injury time but Seb Larsson couldn't keep his composure as he blasted over from close range.

Blues must bounce back now as they travel to Nottingham Forest currently sitting 23rd in the Championship on Saturday afternoon in what will certainly prove to be another tense midlands derby.

Qpr 1 - 0 BIRMINGHAM

BLUES lose their unbeaten record in London tonight as a second half strike from Samuel Di Carmine secures all three points for 10 man Queens Park Rangers.

Blues also lose their spot at the summit of the championship to midlands rivals Wolves as they battle past Swansea City to win 2-1.

The problems started for the blues before a ball had even been kicked as the rain came down at a miserable, ice cold Loftus Road when Gary O'connor pulled up in the warm up, while Stuart Parnaby was strechered off after only 12 minutes.

However, with strength in depth Blues would still be expected to go on and perform under the conditions but really didn't turn up as they crumbled under the pressure of a cracking atmosphere in south-west London.

Cameron Jerome arguably had the best chance of the game as he went through one on one with the Rangers keeper Radek Cerny but allowed the former Tottenham keeper to turn the ball wide for a corner.

Just before the break Lee Carsley got away from Mikele Leigertwood but was bought down and resulted in referee Steve Attwell showing a straight red card for a professional foul.

This gave the Blues the chance to come out in the second half and really push the game to Rangers who were there for the taking but it was the London hoops who took the initiative and after 54 minutes Di Carmine produced a moment of magic as he smashed home a spectacular 25 yard strike into Maik Taylor's top right hand corner.

Blues battled on after this as the rain began to fall relentlessly and although there was promise from 19 year-old Jared Wilson down the right hand side, Blues could only produce three shots on target one of which was turned in by Kevin Phillips in the 4th minute of injury time however was ruled out for offside.

A quite miserbale night in London for the blue boy's means that next Monday's derby clash with Coventry becomes all the more important to ensure they keep hot on the heels of the new leaders Wolves.

Full Time: Qpr 1-0 BIRMINGHAM