Birmingham City Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Chris Hughton

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McLeish: Point could be vital

13 Apr 2008 - 10:20:04

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Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish believes the point gained from Saturday's 1-1 draw against Everton could prove to be vital in his side's bid to avoid relegation.

Mauro Zarate's free-kick seven minutes from time salvaged a share of the spoils for the home side and kept them two points clear of 18th-placed Bolton Wanderers in an increasingly tight relegation scrap.

"Mauro's goal could turn out to be very important," said McLeish.

"I saw a congregation gathering around the ball and I knew at a given moment a few people fancy themselves to pop the ball over the wall and into the top corner.

"It very rarely happens so I made sure David Murphy got word that I wanted Zarate to take the free-kick and it is a beautiful finish.

"I think I'll claim an assist for that - it was a super decision putting him on!

"The draw was the least we deserved and really I thought we deserved to win it on our second-half display.

"Our rivals around about us, Bolton and Fulham, have secured two brilliant results so this point could prove to be very important.

"It was a cruel blow to go behind, but the second-half performance was exceptional. We went up a gear and found another couple of per cent.

"It was only the finishing touch that let us down and some terrific stops by Tim Howard."