Blues were dealt a blow before the game with the news that in-form Stan Lazaridis was injured, and as a result Steve Bruce recalled Paul Devlin to play wide on the right, whilst Damien Johnson switched to the left-hand flank. Michael Johnson came in on the bench alongside Stern John, Darren Carter and Geoff Horsfield.
Blues started the game positively, and immediately set about trying to break down Albion's rearguard. Chances were few and far between early on though, and gradually the visitors clawed their way back into the game to evenly match Blues in a very poor opening 45 minutes. For Albion, Neil Clement and Jason Koumas both went close with free-kicks, whilst Clinton Morrison wasted a couple of good opportunities after excellent work from Christophe Dugarry who was opening up the Albion defence with ease.
Blues came out for the second half looking like they were still half-asleep, and Albion really picked up the pace without really causing Ian Bennett too many problems. Horsfield came on for the injured Clinton Morrison - whose place must really be under threat due to Horsfield's form, and Stern John's considerable impact later in this match. Horsfield posed a different threat to the Albion defence, and Blues were able to take control of the game.
As the minutes ticked away, Bruce threw on Darren Carter and Stern John in a bold bid to snatch all three points. Dugarry had a header saved superbly by Russell Hoult, whilst Carter horribly mis-timed another headed opportunity when it seemed he was destined to score. John and Horsfield also failed to really test Hoult with half-chances.
When Fourth Official Mark Halsey (of sending off messrs Dublin and Gudjonson fame) held up the board to indicate 4 minutes of stoppage time, it really looked as though the game was headed for a goalless draw. However, with just seconds remaining, Carter lifted the ball into the area, and John did really well to keep the ball alive despite the close attentions of various defenders. In something of a scramble, the ball looped up to the far post, where Horsfield was on hand to head home from close range to spark ecstatic scenes around St Andrews.
Amidst the scenes of celebration at the end, it was easy to forget that Blues had been poor - it was just a good job that Albion are one of the worst teams to ever grace the Premiership. Jason Roberts showed his usual style of play, which involves forgetting that you're there to play football, and simply looking for fouls. However, both he and Danny Dichio were marshalled superbly by the magnificent Matthew Upson, who may well keep his place in the England squad for next week following his excellent recent form.
This result more or less relegated Albion, but for Blues, it puts them in their best position for months following three wins in the last four games. Blues may well only need a few more points from their remaining seven games to ensure their Premiership survival. The result here was far more important than the performance and yet another vital goal from Horsfield may well prove to be the biggest goal of the season.
PLAYER RATINGS:
Bennett - Did everything he had to do well
Kenna - Fairly solid
Clapham - Good going forward, but a few mistakes defensively
Cunningham - Solid enough, but some woeful distribution
Upson - Superb
Devlin - Ok, but needs to get at defenders more
Savage - Not at his best
Clemence - Ditto Savage
Johnson - Assured, and showed versatilty again
Morrison - Not good enough
Dugarry - Some class moments
SUBS:
Horsfield - Another crucial goal
Carter - Some poor moments, but put himself about
John - Effective in his brief appearance