Blues boss McLeish hails battlers

24 January 2010 11:07
The Midlanders secured a 2-1 win at Goodison Park after a brilliant first-half display and a breathtaking goal from former Scotland captain Barry Ferguson.[LNB]Ferguson struck close to half-time after Christian Benitez's early opener, but Everton fought back with a second-half strike from substitute Leon Osman.[LNB]The Toffees put Birmingham under severe pressure, but Blues held on to stretch their unbeaten run to 15 matches.[LNB]McLeish said: "It was a marvellous first half, we scored two classy goals and Barry Ferguson's will be a rival for goal of the season.[LNB]"The intricate passing, the driving run, the expert finish, it was a wonderful goal.[LNB]"Benitez's goal was good, but Ferguson's was stunning. We stood up to them, particularly in the second half when we were facing an onslaught.[LNB]"But the first-half performance was instrumental in us winning the game."[LNB]He added: "Everton came back at us, we knew they would, but we held on and we must give credit to the team for their resilience and their spirit.[LNB]"The lads threw themselves in the way of everything, blocking and heading everything away. The second half was a test of our character and we came through it.[LNB]"The run we are on, for a newly-promoted side, is sensational in modern times.[LNB]"For a smaller club in the Premier League it is exceptional. But we are enjoying it and we have the character to keep it going."[LNB]McLeish also confirmed he is on the brink of signing midfielder Craig Gardner for £3.5million from Aston Villa.[LNB]The St. Andrews boss said: "Pending a medical and agreeing personal terms, Craig Gardner should be a Birmingham player by Tuesday."[LNB]For Everton boss David Moyes, the result was a bitter pill to swallow having reached last season's final at Wembley.[LNB]He said: "We left ourselves a lot to do after being two down at the break. We were so poor, it was always going to be an uphill task.[LNB]"It needed a very good performance after that to turn it around. We did well, but it was not good enough.[LNB]"We must give Birmingham credit. They played well, scored two goals and deserved to go through. They are above us in the Premier League and on a very good run.[LNB]"We went missing from the start and never really deserved any luck after that."[LNB]Moyes finally has midfielder Mikel Arteta back after nearly year out with injury, while he agreed a loan deal for Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos before the game.[LNB]He said: "Arteta is not really ready, he has not even had a practice match in training. But I wanted him on the bench and had hoped to bring him on in a better position than we found ourselves in.[LNB]"I know now that I will have to be careful with him, he is a month away really from real fitness.[LNB]"Our performances in recent weeks have been very good, so what we saw in that first period was a nasty shock. I am devastated, I wanted to win the cup after going so close last season, but it was not to be.[LNB]"I'm pleased we have got Senderos in on loan. With Joseph Yobo with a hamstring injury in the African Nations Cup, Phil Jagielka still not ready to return and Lucas Neill leaving, there was no way I could go into the rest of the season with just two central defenders."[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk