Birmingham 1 West Ham 0: Lee Bowyer haunts hapless Hammers

These are heady days indeed for Birmingham and nobody is enjoying them more than Lee Bowyer, the one time 'bovver boy' of English football.Bowyer, 33 next month, may be closing in on the veteran class but he is the driving force behind the club's unexpected climb up the Premier League.It was his winning goal here against West Ham his sixth of the season - that pushed Birmingham into eighth spot and leaves them looking to Europe rather than relegation. Get in: Lee Bowyer slots the ball past Robert GreenFor boss Alex McLeish, it makes Bowyer one of the great bargainsignings of recent years since joining the club on a free from WestHam, a club he spun further into crisis here.McLeish said: 'He looks a bargain now. What would he be worth after scoring six goals and a number of them winning goals?'We have given him the ambience he needs, the proper atmosphere to relax and feel comfortable about his game.'The surprise is why West Ham decided that Bowyer was surplus to requirements one year ago. Brum rush: Birmingham's Liam Ridgewell has a shot saved by West Ham goalkeeper Robert GreenWest Ham boss Gianfranco Zola confirmed he simply could not find aplace for him. Zola, unhappy with a defeat which put his side into thebottom three said: 'I know how capable he is. It is painful for me tosay that today.'Birmingham survived a determined recovery by a West Ham side who hadto battle with 10 men after Mark Noble was sent off for a second yellowcard 11 minutes from time.What Zola must BELLAMYrecognise, however, is Birmingham's overallsuperiority. McLeish's team should have put this game way beyond WestHam before Bowyer's strike. Diving in: Alessandro Diamanti and Birmingham's James McFadden (right) battle for the ballCameron Jerome had a perfect scoring opportunity in the 45th minute, but his header in front of goal looped over the bar.Bowyer's football was compelling to watch and so full of energy. Itpaid off in the 52nd minute when he ran on to a pass from ChristianBenitez to slam a low shot away from Robert Green.Kieron Dyer, a late substitute, then came closest to an equaliser when his shot clipped the post.Noble, who had been booked for dissent by referee Lee Mason, lungedin on Benitez in the 72nd minute. Zola said: 'The referee is human.They make mistakes. This time there were too many.'  West Ham's Dean Ashton forced to retire from football at just 26Dean Ashton: I may never run again, admits retired West Ham strikerBIRMINGHAM CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail