Birmingham v West Ham and Liverpool v Fulham live

26 January 2011 22:26
Follow Sportsmail's coverage of Wednesday night's football where in the Carling Cup Birmingham host West Ham in the second-leg of their semi-final, with City looking to overcome a goal deficit. In the Premier League Liverpool host Fulham as they look to continue their push for a place in Europe.[LNB] Live ScoresCarling Cup semi-final[LNB]Birmingham 3-1 West Ham FT(Birmingham win 4-3 agg after extra time)[LNB]Premier League[LNB]Liverpool 1-0 Fulham  FT[LNB]22.25: What a cracking cup tie that was. Extra time can be boring especially in international tournaments, but this was nail-biting all the way through.[LNB]Amongst all that Liverpool move up to seventh and although they had a few shaky moments, Dalglish's men are certainly heading in the right direction.[LNB]Fulham meanwhile just seem to lack confidence and will probably regret being so conservative this evening.[LNB]That's all from me, thank your following and good night.[LNB]22.22: They of course meet Arsenal in the final next month at Wembley.[LNB]bad luck for the Hammers though who just could not hold on to their two goal lead in the tie. It's 100 per cent focus on Premier League survival now for Grant's men.[LNB]22.20: Joyful scenes for the home support as their players celebrate on the pitch after securing their first domestic final since 2001.[LNB]22.18: Full-time: Birmingham 3-1 West Ham[LNB](Birmingham win 4-3 on aggregate after extra time)[LNB]22.17: One minute added on, see previous post for where the ball is.[LNB]22.16: One minute left and Birmingham have the ball in the corner. Nightmare scenario for the Hammers.[LNB]22.15: Birmingham nearly seal the tie when Murphy finds himself one-on-one with Green.[LNB]The keeper is out quickly though and manages to deflect his shot over the bar.[LNB]With all due respect to Murphy City really needed Jerome in that position.[LNB]22.14: Three minutes left and City have resorted to keep-ball, so frustrating when it is against your own team that tactic, but it is a common sense one.[LNB]22.12: Frustration showing for the Hammers as Carlton Cole is booked for dissent after a free-kick decision goes against him. Five minutes left.[LNB]22.10: Heart in mouth moment for City fans. Cole controls a flick on six yards out, but his own flick towards goal is well held by Foster.[LNB]22.07: Very quiet so far, almost like the opening minutes of a game except that as expected, there are quite a few signs of fatigue out there with plenty of passes going astray from both teams.[LNB]22.04: Birmingham the better side in the opening exchanges, nothing like the threat we saw from the Hammers at the end of the previous period.[LNB]22.01: We are back underway and Avram Grant makes his final change with Benni McCarthy on for Jonathan Spector.[LNB]21.59: Half-time and the players switch ends.[LNB]21.58: All West Ham as we enter one minute of additional time in this half.[LNB]21.57: A double substitution from Birmingham, Jean Beausejour is on for Larsson and David Murphy replaces potential hero Gardner.[LNB]21.55: They are sure trying too. Parker gets a rush of blood to the head inside the box blazing miles over the bar, a half-chance at least.[LNB]21.53: This game will now not go to penalties, if West Ham score next they would be in pole position to reach Wembley courtesy of having scored more away goals.[LNB]21.50: Full-time: Liverpool 1-0 Fulham[LNB] City hero? Graig Gardner fires Birmingham in front during the first period of extra time[LNB]21.47: GOAL! BIRMINGHAM 3-1 West Ham[LNB]Third time lucky for Craig Gardner. Again he aims for that same corner that has so far conspired against him thanks to Green and the post. This time though it settles into the net but the Hammers keeper really should have done better as it seemed to go through his arms.[LNB]21.45: It's worth noting away goals DO count after extra-time, so if West Ham get a goal Birmingham need to score at least twice to progress to Wembley.[LNB]21.43: They have left it late but they are sure pushing for an equaliser now.[LNB]Dembele inside the box has a stinging shot that Reina does superb to save before the hosts scramble the ball away.[LNB]21.40: No changes from either side as extra time gets underway.[LNB]21.38: Finally a threat from Fulham! Brede Hangeland's header cleared off the line by Raul Meireles.[LNB]21.37: End of 90mins: Birmingham 2-1 West Ham( 3-3 on aggregate, extra time to be played)[LNB]21.36: INCREDIBLE! In the last 30 seconds of time added on,Gardner has a shot from the edge of the box that Green gets the slightest of touches to deflecting it onto the post.[LNB]West Ham defenders scramble back to clear the ball as high and far as they can away from goal. [LNB] Anfield old boy: Danny Murphy (left) attempts to challenge Fernando Torres[LNB]21.35: Liverpool's Christian Poulsen who has not had much to do at Anfield is replaced by Fabio Aurelio.[LNB]21.34: Three minutes added on for what would realistically be a golden goal now in this semi-final.[LNB]21.33: Absolutely stupid from Ferguson. He and Dyer collide in a challenge for the ball but the Scot responds by immaturely kicking out at the former Newcastle winger. Both are booked after squaring up to each other, it was handbags and nothing more.[LNB]21.32: Birmingham 2-1 West Ham is the only scoreline that can take this game to penalties by the way.[LNB]21.31: There has been no response from Fulham whatsoever.[LNB]They have never won at Anfield but if there was one season where they could fancy their chances then this is surely it.[LNB]Not enough ambition from Mark Hughes men.[LNB]21.29: O'Neil making his debut of course. Five minutes of normal time left at St Andrews.[LNB]21.28: Second change for the Hammers with Gary O'Neil replacing Luis Boa Morte.[LNB] Head boy: Roger Johnson (5) headers Birmingham in front, bringing the tie level[LNB]21.26: Birmingham nearly go ahead! Jerome leaves Tomkins standing when dealing with a ball over the top but he has to improvise his shot on goal that Green, who is out quickly to narrow the angle blocks.[LNB]21.25: Amongst all that, Jonjo Shelvey is on for Dirk Kuyt.[LNB]21.23: GOAL! BIRMINGHAM 2-1 West Ham[LNB]Scrap that sink. After Green tips Jerome's header over from a corner, Roger Johnson rises highest from the second to head down onto the ground and in the top corner. A textbook attacking header, what drama![LNB]21.21: Alex McLeish is thinking kitchen sink time. Kevin Phillips is warming up.[LNB]21.18: Change for Fulham who bring on Zoltan Gera for Damien Duff.[LNB]21.16: A change for West Ham with Kieron Dyer replacing Hines.[LNB] Breakthrough: Raul Meireles celebrates Liverpool's opening goal[LNB]21.14: There is 20 minutes left at St Andrews and Green does well to keep City at bay.[LNB]Ferguson's low shot from 20 yards out takes a slight deflection before the keeper dives low to his right to concede a corner.[LNB]21.12: Lets have a status check. Birmingham are all over West Ham in search of the goal that would take this semi-final to extra-time.[LNB]Fulham, have shown no adventure this second-half and the Reds deserve their lead.[LNB]21.09: GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-0 Fulham[LNB]A scrappy game deserves a scrappy goal, Fernando Torres' shot is deflected onto the post where John Pantsil tries to clear it but only succeeds in fumbling it into his own goal. Very unfortunate for him more than anything.[LNB] Power: Lee Bowyer (second right) pounced inside the box to grab an equaliser on the night for Birmingham[LNB]21.06: GOAL! BIRMINGHAM 1-1 West Ham[LNB]No matter now though. From that very corner Zigic (who else) wins a header that falls into the path of Lee Bowyer 12 yards out, who hits a thunderbolt on the half-volley that Green and Noble on the line were not going to stop in a month of Sundays. Game on![LNB]21.05: Birmingham are all over West Ham and should have a penalty! A looping ball hits Wayne Bridge on the arm clumsily before rolling out for a corner.[LNB]No ball to hand about that, Bridge just got his hand-eye co-ordination completely wrong.[LNB]21.04: We are back underway at Anfield.[LNB]21.03: And again! This time he heads the ball across goal but James Tomkins does enough to put off Jerome who sends a difficult volley over the bar.[LNB]21.01: Right on cue! Zigic chests down a long ball for Gardner on the edge of the box who rifles in a volley that crashes off the post and across the goal before going out for a goal kick. The Hammers are down to eight lives.[LNB]20.58: Say what you want about Zigic but on height alone he is going to be crucial when it comes to getting meaningful flicks. Nothing like height for a 'Plan B.'[LNB]20.55: Looked a foul to me. Scott Parker trips Barry Ferguson in full flow 30 yards out, who is still down moments later when Larsson has a speculative effort from 20 yards out. I lacks power to trouble Green though.[LNB]20.52: No swing in momentum though. West Ham remain the better side and they look to be targeting Martin Jiranek who on the evidence of this game could not trap cement. The centre-back has been very shaky.[LNB]20.49: Birmingham get us going again where Alex McLeish has made one change with tall striker Nikola Zigic replacing Derbyshire.[LNB]20.47: Half-time: Liverpool 0-0 Fulham[LNB]20.45: One minute added on.[LNB]20.42: This sums up the scrappy half. Martin Kelly's poor cross ends up at Maxi Rodriguez's feet but his shot is blocked out for a corner by John Pantsil.[LNB]Passing has been slack, finishing has not been there and it has been a good defensive performance from both sides.[LNB]20.39: This game needs half-time, it has 0-0 written all over it. Anfield is not that full and this has all the atmosphere of a dead rubber Europa League match.[LNB] Back in action: Fulham's Steve Sidwell (left) attempts to tackle Liverpool's Raul Meireles[LNB]20.36: It's not developed into the one way traffic I thought it would at Anfield. Chances are few and far between and this game is being played at a very slow tempo.[LNB]20.33: Big cheers from the away fans, anger and boos from the home. City need two goals to at least take this to extra time.[LNB]20.32: Half-time: Birmingham 0-1 West Ham[LNB]20.31: One minute of injury time at St Andrews, West Ham good value for their lead in this match.[LNB]20.28: Liverpool are not having it all their own way. Andy Johnson whips in a hard low cross that finds Moussa Dembele with the whole goal to aim for. But the forward can only find Pepe Reina who is grateful to make an easy save. Big chance that.[LNB]20.26: More Stockdale magic. Glen Johnson weaves his way from the right side before unleashing one of those powerful shots of his from the edge of the box that the keeper does brilliant to turn over the bar.[LNB]20.24: Invention at its best. Mark Noble clips a free-kick in the box and Hines gets a very awkward looking volley onto it with his back to goal that sees the ball clip off the post and out for a goal kick. Not too sure Foster had that covered.[LNB]20.22: And another good chance. City have a free-kick 25 yards out but Seb Larsson's effort is straight at Green who takes an easy catch.[LNB]20.20: Nearly an instant response from Birmingham, Matt Derbyshire manages to find space to run into on the edge of the box, but his powerful effort is at a comfortable height for Green who elects to parry the ball away.[LNB] Golden Cole: West Ham's Carlton Cole (front) celebrates scoring the opening goal against Birmingham[LNB]20.18: GOAL! Birmingham 0-1 WEST HAM[LNB]Drogba inspired. After two Birmingham players have a break down in communication over a loose ball, Carlton Cole brings it under control, looks up and hits a powerful curling effort into the top corner. No blaming Foster for that one.[LNB]20.16: They look such a different team under Kenny Dalglish do Liverpool.[LNB]It's almost like the Scot's arrival has instantly lifted the confidence of the players 10 fold.[LNB]It could be the Reds against Stockdale this evening.[LNB] Super save: Fulham's David Stockdale (left) prevents Liverpool's Raul Meireles from scoring the opening goal[LNB]20.13: Stockdale was all the rave early in the season and judging by this save it's easy to see why.[LNB]Raul Meireles' super header is destined for the corner until the young stopper springs low to deny the midfielder.[LNB]20.10: West Ham are looking the more confident team. City have made silly errors and it's almost as if they are riddled with nerves.[LNB]The main offender is Stephen Carr who has made a few wayward passes already and has comically fallen over as well.[LNB]He has no excuses having won this competition with Tottenham back in 1999.[LNB]20.07: He looks the part now Fernando Torres, after latching onto a Raul Meireles pass he buries a superb effort past David Stockdale...except he is just offside. A let off early on for the visitors.[LNB]20.04: Shoot on sight is not the worse policy in the world and from 25 yards, Craig Gardner tries his luck with the ball just clearing the crossbar. Green looked to have it covered though.[LNB]20.01: Liverpool and Fulham have kicked-off[LNB]Aerial battle: West Ham's Scott Parker (left) and Birmingham's Craig Gardner contest a header[LNB]19.59: Another half-chance for West Ham and this one is perhaps a little better.Carlton Cole races onto a long ball in the box but with the ball at an awkward height and angle he slams the ball wide and high.[LNB]19.56: Super counter attack. Mark Noble breaks from his own half and splits the City defence with a great through ball for Hines.[LNB]The forward homes in on goal but under pressure from the defence lets fly from the edge of the box and Foster smartly parries out the shot for a corner.[LNB]19.53: Birmingham have responded since the Hammers bright start and they are applying some pressure, no chances as of yet.[LNB]19.50: Good effort from Hines. On the edge of the box he shuffles to the right to make space before attempting to curl an effort into the far corner.[LNB]Much like Nicklas Bendtner last night except the shot lacks venom and Ben Foster can easily take. [LNB]19.49: Cole is looking up for this one, he has had a few touches already and just seems to have an extra spring in his step than usual.[LNB]19.46: Carlton Cole and Zavon Hines get us underway.[LNB]19.44: Teams are out, not a spare seat around the ground as you would expect.[LNB]19.43: The Requiem for a dream music is being played around St Andrews, not wanting to sound like a party pooper but as atmospheric as it sounds it has been played to death and is quite cliched and annoying now.[LNB]19.40: Three points for Fulham though will take them from 15th to 11th and above their opponents this evening.[LNB]That pretty much sums up how tight it is in the mid-field of the table.[LNB]19.37: For Liverpool, seventh place is up for grabs this evening.[LNB]Maybe not the highs the Reds have expected in recent years, but the fight for a European place sure beats the relegation scrap they were facing a month ago.[LNB]19.34: Birmingham manager Alex McLeish hands a rare start to central defender Martin Jiranek for the Carling Cup semi-final second-leg clash with West Ham at St Andrews.[LNB]The Czech's call-up enables Liam Ridgewell to revert to left-back in place of David Murphy.[LNB]McLeish also brings back Sebastian Larsson, Craig Gardner and Lee Bowyer in place of David Bentley, who is cup-tied, Keith Fahey and Alexander Hleb.[LNB]West Ham are without the suspended duo of Victor Obinna and Frederic Piquionne.But newcomer Gary O'Neil is named amongst the substitutes as the Hammers try to protect a 2-1 lead from the first leg.[LNB]19.31: That's not to say Robert Green is safe hands though.[LNB]Sadly his error came on the biggest stage in the World Cup (you may remember it) and I have seen him have a few wobbly moments this season already.[LNB]I accept all keepers make mistake but I would not trust any of the current crop of English keepers with a new born baby that is for sure.[LNB]I know I will regret typing this later.[LNB]19.28: Without trying to sound too harsh I just think a goalkeeping mistake is going to decide this semi-final.[LNB]Deflection or not, that was pretty shocking from Ben Foster in the first-leg to let the ball go through his legs like that, and I still remember him being lobbed from an 80 yard Paul Robinson free-kick a few years back.[LNB]19.25: Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard returns from a three-match suspension to lead the side against Fulham at Anfield.[LNB]The England international is the one change from the team which beat Wolves on Saturday, with Lucas Leiva out with a slight thigh strain.[LNB]Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell, signed from Aston Villa earlier this month, is handed his first start after appearing in last weekend's 2-0 win over Stoke as a substitute.[LNB]He is the only change to the starting line-up, with Dickson Etuhu missing with a hamstring injury.[LNB]19.22: And here is the team news from Anfield:[LNB]Liverpool v FulhamLiverpool: Reina, Kelly, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Meireles, Poulsen, Kuyt, Gerrard, Maxi, Torres. Subs: Gulacsi, Aurelio, Cole, Pacheco, Wilson, Ngog, Shelvey.Fulham: Stockdale, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Baird, Duff, Sidwell, Murphy, Dempsey, Dembele, Andrew Johnson. Subs: Etheridge, Kelly, Salcido, Gera, Kamara, Greening, Davies.Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)[LNB]19.19: Back to the football, here is the lineups for the semi-final at St Andrews:[LNB]Birmingham v West HamBirmingham: Foster, Carr, Johnson, Jiranek, Ridgewell, Larsson, Ferguson, Bowyer, Gardner, Derbyshire, Jerome. Subs: Taylor, Murphy, Phillips, Fahey, Zigic, Hleb, Beausejour.West Ham: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Bridge, Noble, Parker, Spector, Hines, Cole, Boa Morte. Subs: Boffin, Reid, Gabbidon, Dyer, McCarthy, Sears, O'Neil.Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)[LNB]19.17: The breaking news this evening though is that Richard Keys has resigned from Sky following the sexism scandal that has dominated the headlines this week. Click here to read the full story.[LNB]19.15: It has been a mad couple of days as far as football is concerned. On and off the pitch it has been one sensation after another and that has not changed today.[LNB]It was Chelsea (more specifically Didier Drogba) on Monday, Manchester United and their stunning comeback last night and it's set to either West Ham or Birmingham tonight. One will grab what at the start of the season would have been an unexpected trip to Wembley next month.[LNB]Team news on the way.[LNB] Advantage: Carlton Cole's (right) strike in the first-leg means West Ham take a goal lead to Birmingham[LNB]  Ajax warn Liverpool that Suarez's value is increasing by £5m every dayWest Ham midfielder Behrami completes £4m move to Fiorentina Sullivan and Gold to stay away from St Andrew's for fear of jinxing West HamChelsea starlet Kakuta joins Fulham on loan until the end of the season[LNB]  Explore more:People: Richard Keys, Didier Drogba, Paul Robinson, Andrew Johnson, Steven Gerrard, Ben Foster, Robert Green, Gary O'Neil, Lee Bowyer, Liam Ridgewell, Craig Gardner, David Bentley, David Murphy, Sebastian Larsson, Alex McLeish, Carlton Cole, Nicklas Bendtner, Fernando Torres, Glen Johnson, Matt Derbyshire, Pepe Reina, Martin Kelly, John Pantsil, Maxi Rodriguez, Barry Ferguson, Wayne Bridge, Kieron Dyer, Damien Duff, Kevin Phillips, Dirk Kuyt, Roger Johnson, Luis Boa Morte, Mark Hughes, Christian Poulsen, Fabio Aurelio, Brede Hangeland, Benni McCarthy Places: Birmingham, Liverpool, Fulham, Newcastle, United Kingdom, Europe

Source: Daily_Mail