Source: Team_Talk
Title race is on, roars Blues boss
The result takes Blues to within two points of the Championship leaders with five games remaining, with third-placed Reading's Friday fixture against Sheffield United, fourth, also set to have a big impact on the race for promotion.[LNB]Cameron Jerome grabbed the crucial opener in first-half stoppage time, capitalising on some hesitancy in Wolves' six-yard box to bundle the ball over the line with Wayne Hennessey managing to get just a single hand on it.[LNB]Garry O'Connor then made the game safe in the 69th minute - again amid more confusion in the Wolves defence.[LNB]Christophe Berra's attempted header back to Hennessey fell short and the striker pounced to round the Wolves goalkeeper and slot home.[LNB]"The players are euphoric in there, it was a great performance," said McLeish.[LNB]"We had everything tonight - with the drama in the game, great goals and a superb work rate and organisation from my team.[LNB]"They were absolutely magnificent and I have to compliment the full house at St Andrew's, it was a joy to behold and they played their part as well."[LNB]He added: "It's three huge points, we close the gap on Wolves and we've got to make an attempt to win the title."[LNB]Mick McCarthy felt his side were "the masters in their own downfall".[LNB]But he was also left to question the validity of Jerome's opener.[LNB]"With the first goal I wonder whether there's a foul on Wayne Hennessey?" said the Wolves boss.[LNB]"I actually didn't think it was a free-kick he penalised Marlon Harewood for on the halfway line (in the build up to the goal).[LNB]"The second goal was a schoolboy error and we've been the masters of our own downfall.[LNB]"We've lost points, I don't there was any quality in the game. The first goal wasn't really and neither was the second."[LNB]Despite the importance of the result, the game was somewhat overshadowed by Lee Carsley's foul on Chris Iwelumo in the 36th minute - which resulted in the Birmingham captain seeing red.[LNB]The challenge, which brought back memories of Martin Taylor's foul on Eduardo, was dangerously high on the Wolves striker and resulted in him being stretchered off.[LNB]"Chris has got a sore knee but we'll know more tomorrow. He's got it in ice but he'll probably go for a scan," confirmed McCarthy.[LNB]"At the time I couldn't really see it, but I've just watched it again and let me clear something up.[LNB]"Lee wouldn't go in to hurt anybody and that's for sure, he's a competitor and I think he's just mistimed it, he's caught him and it's not a very nice tackle.[LNB]"I don't think there's any doubt it was the turning point, the game was going nowhere. I thought we were comfortable except for a couple of mistakes."[LNB]Blues boss McLeish echoed his opposite number's thoughts on Carsley and the challenge.[LNB]"I thought he wasn't the favourite to win the ball. Lee's a wholehearted player, committed, he's not a dirty player by any means and all the professionals know that," said the Blues boss.[LNB]"He was upset at half-time. He knows that the player is injured and he cares, he is a guy who cares not only about the cause for Birmingham but he respects his fellow pro's."[LNB][LNB]
