Source: Daily_Mail
Derby 1 Birmingham 2: Below par Blues leave it late to seal quarter-final berth
Nigel Clough's dream of winning the one domestic trophy that eluded his father, Brian, was shattered as Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell snatched an injury-time winner in the FA Cup fifth-round tie at Pride Park.[LNB]Jay McEveley's 54th-minute strike put the Rams on course for a quarter-final spot for the first time in 11 years, although Blues keeper Joe Hart will shoulder some of the blame.[LNB]But Scott Dann headed home a James McFadden corner to level matters and then Ridgewell popped up with the decider.[LNB]It was rough justice on the home side - and their inspirational skipper Robbie Savage - and they deserved a second chance against a below-par City, with Kris Commons a constant handful for the away defenders.[LNB] Match winner: Liam Ridgewell (right) is mobbed by team-mates after netting the winner[LNB]Derby more than matched their high-flying Barclays Premier League opponents for long periods.[LNB]But Blues have a never-say-die spirit about them these days and it surfaced again to seal their place in the last eight.[LNB]Birmingham fans were quick to vent their feelings towards theirformer player Savage after his controversial departure from St Andrew's.[LNB]The first half-chance fell to Dann but he directed his first-time shot wide from a Sebastian Larsson corner.[LNB]Derby keeper Stephen Bywater then had to come racing out of his area to hack the ball clear from Cameron Jerome.[LNB]It was 31 minutes before the first shot on target arrived andBywater needed two attempts to cling onto a dipping effort from LeeBowyer.[LNB] Towering: Birmingham's Scott Dann levels matters at Pride Park[LNB]Birmingham started to pass the ball about with a bit more authorityand a through pass from Larsson was latched onto by Jerome but Bywatermanager to turn his shot around the post.[LNB]City central defender Roger Johnson got on the end of McFadden'sresulting corner at the far post but could not keep his header down.[LNB]Derby retaliated and twice went close to breaking the deadlock.[LNB]First Stephen Pearson hit the post from a narrow angle, although Hart was well positioned had the shot been on target.[LNB]Then a dangerous low centre from Commons fizzed right across the City area with no-one able to provide a finishing touch.[LNB]But Hart produced a splendid point-blank range save to deny ShaunBarker from an inswinging Savage free-kick five minutes before theinterval.[LNB]A left-wing cross from McEveley had Hart back-pedalling at the startof the second period and was only a couple of feet too high.[LNB]The play was generally as scrappy as in the first 45 minutes butDerby appeared to be growing in belief that they could cause an upset.[LNB]There was a moment of danger for the home side when ChristianBenitez played in Jerome but he delayed his shot and the Derby defencewere able to get back and cover.[LNB] Long-range strike: Jay McEveley fired the opener from distance[LNB]After 54 minutes, McEveley broke the deadlock, although Hart will be disappointed with his part in the goal.[LNB]The left-back tried a speculative shot from 25 yards out and theball bounced awkwardly in front of Hart before entering the net.[LNB]Derby were now in the ascendancy and Hart almost let a low shot from Commons creep through his hands after good play by Savage.[LNB]Savage became the first player to be yellow-carded after 61 minutes for a challenge on Benitez.[LNB]Blues boss Alex McLeish made a double change after 64 minutes, withLarsson and Benitez replaced by Kevin Phillips and Keith Fahey.[LNB]Phillips was immediately in the action and forced Bywater to turn his shot behind for a corner.[LNB] With 18 minutes remaining, Dann brought Birmingham back on level terms.[LNB]A corner from McFadden picked out the former Coventry player, whoseheader powered past Bywater, although it appeared to take a deflection.[LNB]McLeish made his final substitution in replacing McFadden with CraigGardner, although the Scotland international looked unhappy with thesituation and was shaking his head as he took his place in the dug-out.[LNB]In injury-time Ridgewell snatched a winner for City after Phillips' initial shot had struck the post.[LNB]Hart then produced a superb save to tip over a Savage pile-driver.[LNB] Robbie Savage: People see the tan and the hair - they don't realise I love football!West Ham 2 Birmingham 0: Diamanti and Cole seal vital win for ZolaBIRMINGHAM CITY FC
