Date:04 Jan 2011
Kick-off:20:00
Venue:Bloomfield Road
Attendance:14,550

Campbell (67)
Hleb (23) Dann (88)

Goal!

Live Commentary

The referee brings the game to a close.

91mins The ball is crossed by Sebastian Larsson.

90mins Jean Beausejour sends in a cross.

89mins The ball is sent over by Neal Eardley.

88mins Scott Dann scores a goal from deep inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Blackpool 1-2 Birmingham.Assist by Roger Johnson.

87mins Cameron Jerome fouled by Ian Evatt, the ref awards a free kick. Sebastian Larsson delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing, Richard Kingson makes a save.

87mins Jean Beausejour sends in a cross, Stephen Crainey manages to make a clearance.

86mins Foul by Dudley Campbell on Liam Ridgewell, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Sebastian Larsson.

83mins The ball is delivered by Barry Ferguson.

83mins Kevin Phillips is caught offside. Neal Eardley restarts play with the free kick.

82mins The ball is delivered by Stephen Crainey, clearance made by Roger Johnson.

81mins Kevin Phillips on for Alexander Hleb.

80mins Keith Southern joins the action as a substitute, replacing Luke Varney.

80mins The ball is sent over by Luke Varney.

79mins The ball is swung over by Luke Varney, clearance by Craig Gardner.

78mins Craig Gardner takes a shot. Save by Richard Kingson.

78mins Centre by Jean Beausejour.

77mins Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Craig Cathcart by Alexander Hleb. Free kick taken by Craig Cathcart.

77mins Effort from just inside the box by Charlie Adam strikes the post.

76mins The ball is crossed by Neal Eardley, clearance by Scott Dann.

76mins The ball is delivered by Stephen Crainey, Jean Beausejour manages to make a clearance.

75mins Matt Derbyshire goes off and Jean Beausejour comes on.

75mins Jason Euell has shot on goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

74mins Brett Ormerod takes a shot. Save by Ben Foster.

74mins The ball is crossed by Charlie Adam, Liam Ridgewell manages to make a clearance.

74mins Unfair challenge on Liam Ridgewell by Ian Evatt results in a free kick. Ben Foster restarts play with the free kick.

73mins Corner from left by-line taken by Charlie Adam.

72mins Luke Varney takes a shot. The ball is delivered by Sebastian Larsson, save by Richard Kingson. Blocked by Craig Gardner.

71mins Luke Varney delivers the ball, Jason Euell takes a shot. Save by Ben Foster.

71mins Centre by Liam Ridgewell, clearance made by Craig Cathcart.

69mins Brett Ormerod comes on in place of Matt Phillips. Jason Euell comes on in place of Gary Taylor-Fletcher. The official flags Matt Derbyshire offside. Richard Kingson takes the free kick.

69mins Neal Eardley delivers the ball.

68mins A cross is delivered by Stephen Crainey, clearance by Liam Ridgewell.

68mins The ball is sent over by Stephen Crainey, Craig Gardner manages to make a clearance.

67mins Goal scored by Dudley Campbell from inside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Blackpool 1-1 Birmingham.Assist on the goal came from Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

65mins Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Craig Gardner by Ian Evatt. Sebastian Larsson has a direct shot on goal from the free kick, Richard Kingson makes a save.

64mins Shot by Cameron Jerome from inside the box bounces off the post.

64mins Stephen Crainey sends in a cross, clearance made by Liam Ridgewell.

64mins Neal Eardley delivers the ball, save by Ben Foster.

63mins The ball is sent over by Matt Phillips, clearance made by Craig Gardner.

63mins Centre by Matt Phillips, clearance by Roger Johnson.

63mins Corner from the right by-line taken by Sebastian Larsson, clearance by Charlie Adam.

62mins Craig Gardner takes a shot. Blocked by Craig Cathcart.

62mins The referee gives a free kick against Ian Evatt for handball. Indirect free kick taken by Ben Foster.

61mins A cross is delivered by Neal Eardley, Stephen Carr makes a clearance.

60mins Free kick awarded for a foul by David Vaughan on Alexander Hleb. Free kick crossed right-footed by Sebastian Larsson from left channel.

59mins Dudley Campbell takes a shot. Ben Foster makes a save.

58mins The ball is crossed by David Vaughan, clearance made by Scott Dann.

58mins A cross is delivered by Matt Derbyshire, Stephen Crainey makes a clearance.

56mins Keith Fahey leaves the field to be replaced by Sebastian Larsson.

56mins Corner taken by Craig Gardner from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Charlie Adam.

55mins Ben Foster is shown a yellow card for dissent.

53mins Craig Gardner takes a shot. Blocked by Ian Evatt.

54mins Effort from 18 yards by Matt Phillips. Scott Dann gets a block in.

54mins The offside flag is raised against Cameron Jerome. Free kick taken by Richard Kingson.

54mins The ball is sent over by Luke Varney.

53mins Craig Gardner takes a shot. Blocked by Ian Evatt.

53mins Matt Phillips takes a shot. Blocked by Liam Ridgewell.

53mins Matt Phillips produces a cross.

52mins Effort from inside the six-yard box by Luke Varney goes wide right of the target.

51mins Charlie Adam takes a shot. Ben Foster makes a save.

49mins Keith Fahey gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Vaughan. Direct free kick taken by Craig Cathcart.

48mins Luke Varney has an effort at goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.

47mins Barry Ferguson challenges Gary Taylor-Fletcher unfairly and gives away a free kick. Ian Evatt takes the free kick.

47mins Centre by Luke Varney.

46mins Matt Phillips gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Keith Fahey. Free kick taken by Ben Foster.

The referee gets the second half underway.

The whistle is blown to end the first half.

44mins Free kick awarded for a foul by Barry Ferguson on Dudley Campbell. Free kick taken by Charlie Adam.

44mins Corner taken by Keith Fahey played to the near post, clearance made by David Vaughan.

43mins Cameron Jerome takes a shot. Richard Kingson makes a save.

43mins A cross is delivered by Luke Varney.

41mins Keith Fahey takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Luke Varney manages to make a clearance.

40mins The ball is swung over by Stephen Crainey, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Matt Phillips goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

39mins A cross is delivered by Neal Eardley, clearance made by Barry Ferguson.

39mins A cross is delivered by Stephen Crainey, clearance made by Liam Ridgewell.

38mins Shot by Craig Gardner from just outside the area goes over the net.

37mins Corner taken by Keith Fahey.

35mins Gary Taylor-Fletcher takes a shot. Save by Ben Foster.

35mins The ball is delivered by Neal Eardley, Scott Dann manages to make a clearance.

34mins The ball is delivered by Matt Phillips.

32mins Centre by David Vaughan, Gary Taylor-Fletcher concedes a free kick for a foul on Roger Johnson. Ben Foster restarts play with the free kick.

32mins Neal Eardley delivers the ball, save made by Ben Foster.

32mins Matt Phillips crosses the ball, Liam Ridgewell gets a block in.

31mins Matt Derbyshire is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Craig Cathcart takes the indirect free kick.

28mins Neal Eardley takes a shot. Ben Foster makes a save.

28mins Luke Varney crosses the ball.

28mins The ball is delivered by Charlie Adam.

27mins Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Luke Varney.

25mins The referee penalises Matt Derbyshire for handball. Free kick taken by Ian Evatt.

25mins Charlie Adam fouled by Matt Derbyshire, the ref awards a free kick. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Charlie Adam.

24mins Cameron Jerome takes a shot. Save by Richard Kingson.

23mins Alexander Hleb grabs a goal from close in low into the middle of the goal. Blackpool 0-1 Birmingham.

22mins The referee blows for offside against Luke Varney. Indirect free kick taken by Ben Foster.

22mins Charlie Adam delivers the ball.

22mins Centre by Charlie Adam, clearance made by Scott Dann.

17mins Charlie Adam takes a shot. Save made by Ben Foster.

21mins The ball is swung over by Neal Eardley.

17mins Charlie Adam takes a shot. Save by Ben Foster.

20mins Luke Varney concedes a free kick for a foul on Roger Johnson. Scott Dann takes the direct free kick.

20mins The ball is sent over by Matt Derbyshire.

18mins Stephen Carr crosses the ball.

17mins Charlie Adam takes a shot. Save by Ben Foster.

16mins Alexander Hleb produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide left of the goal.

16mins The ball is swung over by Keith Fahey.

15mins Corner taken by Keith Fahey.

15mins Corner taken right-footed by Keith Fahey from the left by-line to the near post, clearance by Craig Cathcart.

15mins Matt Phillips crosses the ball, clearance made by Scott Dann.

14mins Matt Phillips produces a cross, clearance by Roger Johnson.

13mins Scott Dann fouled by Dudley Campbell, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Ben Foster.

13mins Corner taken by Charlie Adam.

13mins The ball is delivered by Charlie Adam, Matt Phillips takes a shot. Save by Ben Foster.

12mins Handball decision goes against Dudley Campbell. Ben Foster takes the free kick.

11mins The referee blows for offside. Richard Kingson restarts play with the free kick.

10mins Matt Phillips takes a shot. Ben Foster makes a save.

8mins Shot by Neal Eardley from just outside the area goes over the net.

7mins Matt Derbyshire challenges David Vaughan unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Craig Cathcart.

6mins The ball is crossed by Alexander Hleb, Ian Evatt manages to make a clearance.

5mins Centre by Matt Derbyshire.

5mins The ball is delivered by David Vaughan.

4mins Matt Derbyshire is ruled offside. Richard Kingson restarts play with the free kick.

4mins Cameron Jerome sends in a cross.

1mins A cross is delivered by Liam Ridgewell, Shot from inside the six-yard box by Matt Derbyshire goes wide right of the target.

The referee gets the game started.

Match Preview

Blackpool's David Carney will miss the Barclays Premier League match against Birmingham on Tuesday after linking up with Australia ahead of the Asia Cup. Elliot Grandin is unlikely to be risked as he missed the defeat by Manchester City because of a hamstring strain.

Manager Ian Holloway could be tempted to freshen up his side in an attempt to return to winning ways Blackpool defender Ian Evatt is convinced his side can bounce back from the defeat by Manchester City. Evatt claims they have good reason to be optimistic after running the Champions League contenders close on Saturday when just a single goal from Adam Johnson divided the teams.

Evatt said: "I feel so confident at the moment. I feel as though I can deal with anything. I hope it looks that way to everyone else.

"Not just me but the whole team is playing with so much confidence. I feel as though I can take on the world. That comes down to the gaffer (Ian Holloway) giving us that belief.

"It is a big game against Birmingham. They beat us at their place, so we have to make sure we are at it from the start and get right into them.

"If we played like we did in the second half at Manchester City, there are not many teams that will cope with us. We have got to maintain our confidence and keep driving on.

"Look at how far we have come. Three or four years ago we were playing at Yeovil."

Evatt has been impressed by the progress of summer signing Matt Phillips and added: "He has a big, big future in the game as long as he keeps working hard. He will go on to bigger and better things. He has been different class since we bought him. If he carries on like this we will be lucky to keep hold of him."

This will be Blackpool's first home game in six weeks after bad weather disrupted their programme.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is considering making changes. McLeish is mindful of City's forthcoming demanding programme, including a two-legged Carling Cup semi-final with West Ham, before the end of January.

He said: "We've got to consider maybe making some changes with this heavy schedule that we have and the heavy schedule we have after this game also to try and keep everyone fresh."

Midfielder Lee Bowyer is included in the squad although Blues are waiting to see if he will face a Football Association charge for his alleged stamp on Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna.

Play-maker Alexander Hleb is under consideration for a start from McLeish after making a substitute's appearances against Manchester United and Arsenal in his comeback from a hamstring injury.

McLeish will look to sign a striker who can step straight into the battle to avoid relegation. McLeish brought in Nikola Zigic from Valencia during the summer and the Serbia international is only just coming to terms with the demands of the top flight in this country. But he is aware any signing during the next month has to be ready-made to join the fight to stay up.

Robbie Keane, Jay Bothroyd and - on loan - Ryan Babel have been linked with a move to St Andrew's. McLeish said: "We are working actively, the board and myself, to try and enhance the striking positions.

"The board are understanding of the situation and there are a few names we have talked about that could enhance the team. They are trying to help me to bring those players in.

"You are not going to bring in players lesser than the ones you've got. You are trying to bring in a bit of quality to make sure it can improve the team.

"We've got to be bringing someone in who can go straight into the team. That is the type of player we are looking for."

Birmingham have slipped into the bottom three but McLeish does not believe their current standing will put off any potential signings.

He said: "I think if they look at the points between us and five or six teams above us, they know one win can take us right in amongst the middle of the table.

"I don't think they only look at the league position and don't also look at the bigger picture. I think that's what you have to realise.

"People get paranoid just looking at the current position and thinking we are doomed because it is not quite like that yet."

Formation:433Manager: Ian Holloway

Blackpool

Formation: 442Manager: Alex McLeish

Birmingham

Richard Kingson
Neal Eardley
Craig Cathcart
Ian Evatt
Stephen Crainey
David Vaughan
Dudley Campbell
Charlie Adam
Matt Phillips
Luke Varney
Gary Taylor-Fletcher
SUBS
Paul Rachubka
Keith Southern
Brett Ormerod
Alex Baptiste
Jason Euell
Ludovic Sylvestre
Rob Edwards

Home

Away

Ben Foster
Stephen Carr
Roger Johnson
Scott Dann
Liam Ridgewell
Alexander Hleb
Craig Gardner
Barry Ferguson
Keith Fahey
Cameron Jerome
Matt Derbyshire
SUBS
Maik Taylor
Sebastian Larsson
Kevin Phillips
Nikola Zigic
Stuart Parnaby
Jean Beausejour
Martin Jiranek

Match Report

Dann helps Blues end away duck Scott Dann's last-gasp strike at Blackpool earned Birmingham their first away win of the season with their 2-1 success also moving them out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone. Alexander Hleb pounced on a mistake by Stephen Crainey to put Blues ahead in the first half before DJ Campbell's 68th-minute equaliser. Alex McLeish's side then sealed victory thanks to Dann's close-range effort with a minute of normal time remaining. It was a dramatic conclusion to a pulsating game which saw the woodwork rattled once by the hosts and twice by the visitors. Blackpool, playing at home for the first time since November 20, were slow to get out of the blocks and fortunate not to be a goal down within the opening two minutes. Having been fed by Hleb, Liam Ridgewell sent the ball into the six-yard box for Matt Derbyshire, but with the goal at his mercy, the striker could only prod his effort wide. Three minutes later the ball fell to Derbyshire in the area again as Cameron Jerome lashed a shot across goal but there was too much pace on it and the former Blackburn man could not capitalise. Birmingham wasted another decent opportunity within seconds, Jerome the culprit this time as he failed to wrap his foot around Derbyshire's cut-back. The hosts attempted to get a grip on the game and Neal Eardley rifled their first shot at goal over the bar in the 10th minute. Matt Phillips tried to drill one but could not get much power on it and went closer soon after, connecting with Charlie Adam's free-kick at the back post but seeing his shot blocked by Ben Foster. It seemed Blackpool had settled, but then an error by Crainey led to the visitors taking the lead. Under little apparent pressure, Crainey inadvertently laid the ball straight to Hleb on the edge of the box, and he gleefully took advantage by beating Richard Kingson. The Seasiders almost hit back straight away, with Phillips getting on the end of Adam's free-kick but only able to provide a glancing contact that sent the ball wide. Gary Taylor-Fletcher tried a chip which Foster saved before Craig Gardner sliced an effort off-target at the other end. Jerome then cracked a shot at Kingson just before the break which the Ghanaian palmed away. Blackpool emerged from the interval looking determined to find an equaliser and Luke Varney unleashed an effort that cleared the bar five minutes after the restart. Adam's curling shot from distance then drew a diving save out of Foster with Varney lifting the follow-up over the bar, and Phillips had a low drive blocked. McLeish brought on Sebastian Larsson for Keith Fahey before Blackpool broke away again, Adam squaring to Campbell, who was off-balance as he shot towards Foster. The momentum was with the hosts, but Blues then nearly made it 2-0 as Jerome dinked the ball over Kingson only to be denied by the post. Larsson also struck the upright with a free-kick soon after, but moments later, the Seasiders were level. Taylor-Fletcher provided a knock-down from Eardley's cross and Campbell was there to volley past Foster for his fourth goal in four games. Tangerines boss Ian Holloway withdrew Phillips and Taylor-Fletcher for Brett Ormerod and Jason Euell and the home supporters cried out for a penalty as Ridgewell challenged Varney in the box, but referee Jon Moss waved play on. Blackpool's substitutes were swiftly in the thick of the action as Euell volleyed at Foster before Ormerod saw his effort saved by the England stopper. Adam then got the ball beyond Foster with an angled shot, but it came back off the far post. Birmingham appeared to have held on for a point, but right at the death, they snatched all three. Roger Johnson rose in the box to head down substitute Jean Beausejour's delivery and Dann fired the ball in, with Kingson's appeals for offside proving futile.

Form Guide

DWDWWL Blackpool VS Birmingham WDDLDL

Last Meetings

Birmingham 2 - 0 Blackpool 23/10/2010 Blackpool 3 - 1 Birmingham 06/03/1965 Birmingham 3 - 0 Blackpool 24/10/1964 Blackpool 3 - 0 Birmingham 20/03/1964 Birmingham 3 - 2 Blackpool 09/11/1963 Birmingham 3 - 6 Blackpool 20/04/1963

Top Scorers

Blackpool M Harewood 5 L Varney 5 D Campbell 5 G Taylor-Fletcher 2 I Evatt 1 DO Vaughan 1 A Baptiste 1 N Eardley 1 M Phillips 1 Birmingham C Gardner 4 L Ridgewell 3 C Jerome 3 L Bowyer 2 N Zigic 2 R Johnson 1 K Fahey 1 S Larsson 1 S Dann 1

Goals

Blackpool Total goals 56 Goals per game 26 2 (For) 1 (Against) Period 0-10 mins 2 (For) 4 (Against) Period 11-20 mins 2 (For) 2 (Against) Period 21-30 mins 1 (For) 5 (Against) Period 31-40 mins 8 (For) 3 (Against) Period 41-50 mins 1 (For) 4 (Against) Period 51-60 mins 1 (For) 1 (Against) Period 61-70 mins 4 (For) 2 (Against) Period 71-80 mins 5 (For) 8 (Against) Period 81-90 mins Birmingham Total goals 48 Goals per game 18 1 (For) Period 0-10 mins 3 (For) 2 (Against) Period 11-20 mins (For) 1 (Against) Period 21-30 mins 2 (For) Period 31-40 mins 1 (For) 5 (Against) Period 41-50 mins 2 (For) 9 (Against) Period 51-60 mins 1 (For) 2 (Against) Period 61-70 mins 5 (For) 2 (Against) Period 71-80 mins 3 (For) 3 (Against) Period 81-90 mins