Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: St Andrews Stadium
Attendance: 29302
Referee: Gallagher, D

Live Commentary

90mins

It's full-time, Emile Heskey's late strike wins it for Birmingham

89mins

Emile Heskey took advantage of poor Arsenal defending to fire Birmingham back into the lead

88mins

Dennis Bergkamp produces a clinical finish to equalise for Arsenal

86mins

Jermian Pennant's cross goes out for a goal kick

82mins

Jermaine Pennant's cross from the bi-line is just too strong for Walter Gerardo Pandiani to get his head to

81mins

Walter Gerardo Pandiani goes into the referee's notebook

80mins

On loan ace Walter Pandiani gives Birmingham the lead, poking the ball home from close range

78mins

Mario Melchiot is replaced by Olivier Tebily

76mins

Mathieu Flamini replaces Cesc Fabregas

75mins

Mario Melchiot's free-kick floats harmlessly into the hands of Maik Taylor

73mins

Jeremie Aliadiere is deniied by a good save from Maik Taylor

72mins

Birmingham look to hit the Gunners on the break

70mins

Jeremie Aliadiere replaces Robin Van Persie and Edu comes on for Fredrik Ljungberg

68mins

Clinton Morrison's shot is smothered by Philippe Senderos

66mins

Cesc Fabregas takes a short free-kick for Arsenal

63mins

Patrick Vieira's pass is overhit as an Arsenal move breaks down

61mins

Clinton Morrison replaces Darren Carter

59mins

Walter Gerardo Pandiani is caught offside

57mins

Darren Carter is receiving treatment after picking up a knock

55mins

Jermaine Pennant's free-kick goes over the crossbar

53mins

Medhi Nafti's low drive is comfortably saved by Jens Lehmann

52mins

Dennis Bergkamp attempts to flick the ball over Maik Taylor but misses the target

50mins

Robin Van Persie's well-struck free-kick is inches over the crossbar

49mins

Patrick Vieira's volley from a Gunners free kick is blocked

47mins

Walter Gerardo Pandiani's strike from 35 yards flies wide of the post

46mins

The referee gets the second half underway

45mins

Dermott Gallagher brings a goaless first half to an end

44mins

Maik Taylor saves from Robin Van Persie's shot

41mins

Medhi Nafti fires wide from distance

39mins

Kenny Cunningham clears for Birmingham

36mins

Emile Heskey turns well but fails to see Darren Carter making a good run

34mins

Cesc Fabregas' reverse ball goes out for a throw-in

32mins

Jamie Clapham's cross is headed away by Robin Van Persie

30mins

Walter Gerardo Pandiani is just unable to meet Mario Melchiot's cross

28mins

Cesc Fabregas is caught offside

26mins

Robin Van Persie flashes a shot wide of the upright

24mins

Arsenal look to break forward with Cesc Fabregas

22mins

Walter Gerardo Pandiani's header from Darren Carter's cross is deflected out for a corner

20mins

Stephen Clemence fires over the cross-bar when well placed from Walter Gerardo Pandiani's centre

19mins

Sol Campbell clears with Medhi Nafti ready to pounce from Walter Gerardo Pandiani's flick-on

17mins

Kenny Cunningham wins the ball off Fredrik Ljungberg with a strong challenge

15mins

Mario Melchiot is tackled by Patrick Vieira

13mins

Jermaine Pennant's cross is defelcted off Ashley Cole into the hands of Jens Lehmann

11mins

Emile Heskey is caught offside

9mins

Robin Van Persie's shot in inadvertently blocked by Dennis Bergkamp

7mins

Jens Lehmann punches away Jermaine Pennant's whipped in free-kick

5mins

Mario Melchiot's cross from the right is overhit

4mins

Jamie Clapham shows quick feet to go past Cesc Fabregas

2mins

Maik Taylor collects ball from Philippe Senderos' long pass forward

0mins

Referee Dermott Gallagher gets the game underway

Match Report

Emile Heskey and Walter Pandiani, Birmingham City's strikeforce, battered Arsenal to their first defeat in 13 games in an amazing finish at St. Andrew's.

After Pandiani had put Birmingham ahead in the 80th minute with the first goal notched by the Midlanders in six Premiership games against Arsenal Dennis Bergkamp equalised two minutes from time.

But Birmingham stormed back with Heskey, who had generally had a quiet game, snatching a dramatic win out of the fire with a low right-foot shot.

It is the first time Arsenal have been beaten in the Premiership by the Midlanders but they could have few complaints as Birmingham's player of the season, Heskey, grabbed the vital winner.

Pandiani's goal only enhanced Birmingham's determination to retain his services next season - if they can agree a deal with Deportivo La Coruna.

Birmingham's success certainly provided enough proof that there is every reason to be optimistic about their prospects in the next campaign.

Matching Arsenal for such long spells was encouraging in many aspects with Jermaine Pennant and Mario Melchiot emerging as key features of the side.

Pennant, described a few days ago by Birmingham boss Steve Bruce as being out of the same mould as David Beckham, obviously had something to prove against his former club.

He was certainly involved in much of the early play when most of Birmingham's attacking play came down the right with Melchiot playing a key role.

There was, nevertheless, a cool assurance about Arsenal, who made four changes from the side which routed Everton 7-0 in midweek.

The Premiership runners-up played with a confidence of a side which expected to win and extend their unbeaten run.

Patrick Vieira personified the attitude in Arsenal's team as he played with regal style to combat an enthusiastic Birmingham side that applied the early pressure in an attempt to break their sequence of never having scored against the Gunners in the Premiership.

Birmingham's attack was certainly much livelier than Arsenal's as was perceived in the 17th minute when Pandiani pulled the ball back into the path of Stephen Clemence, but the midfielder stumbled and lashed his effort over the bar.

The Midlands club were certainly encouraged by this spirited goal attempt and maintained the pressure on the Gunners who coolly soaked up the attacks with an air of nonchalance.

But it took some smart defending to keep out Birmingham when Pennant's cross was allowed to go unchecked by Heskey, but Darren Carter was just a little too slow to make contact on the edge of the six-yard box.

Arsenal's response was an effort from Robin Van Persie, but his accuracy left a lot to be desired as Birmingham resumed their adventurous attacking role to keep the Gunners on the back foot.

But Arsenal are never more dangerous when they are under-estimated by the opposition and Van Persie demonstrated this threat when he fired in the Gunners' best chance a minute before the break after the Birmingham defence had been opened up by Cesc Fabregas.

Early in the second half Dennis Bergkamp broke clear following a perfect pass from Van Persie, but the Dutchman was unable to display his usual clinical finishing.

Jens Lehmann demonstrated his value in Arsenal's goal with a brave save as he dashed from his goal to dive at the feet of the onrushing substitute Clinton Morrison.

But Pandiani set the game alight with a close-range goal following a corner from Pennant only for Bergkamp to equaliser in the 88th minute.

Birmingham, however, were not to be denied and Pandiani set up Heskey for his tenth league goal following a throw-in from Olivier Tebily.

Birmingham City Team

Arsenal Team

Birmingham City

Arsenal

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides