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Steve Bruce fielded the same outfield ten players as he had done in the previous successive victories over Liverpool and Aston Villa. There was, however, an enforced change in goal, where Ian Bennett replaced the unfortunate Nico Vaesen who was injured late on at Villa Park. For Bennett, it represented an opportunity for the long-serving goalkeeper to go some way to restoring his reputation following his previous horror display at the Reebok Stadium two months ago. New signing Andy Marriott took Bennett's place on the bench.
The first-half was about as lifeless as a half of football can possibly be. At the back for Blues, Kenny Cunningham and Matthew Upson kept Fowler and Nicolas Anelka in check, whilst Man City's back three looked a little more vulnerable, though the Blues attack couldn't really take advantage, with Christophe Dugarry heading a diving effort wide and Stan Lazaridis having a near-post effort deflected wide. At the other end, Bennett made good saves from Anelka and Kevin Horlock, and also did well to force Anelka wide when in a one-on-one with the French striker, and hence avert danger.
Possibly the most controversial incident of the first half was Robbie Savage's 10th booking of the season - resulting in a two-game suspension. Blues had a free-kick some 25 yards from Peter Schmeichal's goal, and whilst the home defence organised itself, the Welsh midfielder attempted a quick free-kick to set up Lazaridis. Referee Matt Messias took exception to this, and booked Savage. Now, personally, I watch a lot of football, and it's common practice for a player to try such a free-kick to catch out a defence. Indeed, goals have been scored as a result. However, I have never seen a player booked for doing so. Fair enough, the referee can say 'Don't take the free-kick before I blow my whistle', and then if the player does, then quite rightly, the play is brought back. However, even in these circumstances, I have never seen the attacking player penalised for doing so.
Without wishing to rant about referees (Messias had a fair game this incident aside), you could understand the booking if every player who did this was booked as well. However, they're not. There is simply no consistency. To make the incident even more bizarre, about three minutes later, Blues had a free-kick in a similar position. Savage took it quickly whilst Schmeichal organised his wall, but was he shown a second yellow card, thus earning himself a dismissal? Of course not, because the referee would have been hammered in the press tomorrow for sending a player off for two such offences. If one's a booking, they're both a booking. Personally, and I'd like to think that even the staunchest Manchester City fan would agree, neither meritted a booking.
Rant over, and back to the football...
At half-time, 0-0 was probably a fair reflection of the game so far. Blues had started poorly and got a little better, whilst Man City hadn't looked at the races by their usual attacking standards.
The home side, as one would expect, began the second half at a higher tempo, looking to take the game to Blues. Damien Johnson continued to tuck inside to make a central three in midfield, and as a result, Sylvain Distin and Niclas Jensen were offered room to attack down the left, whilst Shaun Wright-Phillips was winning his personal battle with Lazaridis on the opposite flank.
After 72 minutes, the home side took the lead. Wright-Phillips - who was excellent throughout - was given too much time and respect by Lazaridis and Jamie Clapham, and eventually bundled his way through to whip in a dangerous cross. Who should be lurking in the middle but Fowler who netted with a superb instinctive flick of his trusted left foot. It more than made up for a much easier chance he had missed some 20 minutes earlier, and proved why he has moved for in excess of £18 million in the past 18 months. It was the kind of instinct in front of goal that very, very few are blessed with.
Blues now needed to abandon their hopes of holding on for a point, and begin to attack, and were given a welcome boost some four minutes later when Danish International Jensen was dismissed for his second bookable offence, after a foul on Lazaridis. Steve Bruce threw on Geoff Horsfield, Paul Devlin and Stern John in an effort to get something out of the game, with Horsfield - who was poor in his 35 minutes on the pitch - wasting a gilt-edged chance. John threaded a superb ball through the City defence, which Savage left for Horsfield who was left with just Schmeichal to beat. He rounded the former Manchester United 'keeper, but then swung his right boot and missed with the goal at his mercy. Fowler would have buried such a chance.
At the other end, Blues were vulnerable to counter-attacks as they pushed for the game, with Bennett capping an excellent return with a magnificent save when one-on-one - again - with Anelka, whose luck was out this afternoon, and with Ali Benarbia taking too much time when presented with a great chance to finish Blues off. In the end though, Blues couldn't get an equaliser, and the home side completed yet another victory over Blues, as per usual, though it wasn't in their usual emphatic style.
For Blues, it was a disappointment that they couldn't get a result against a Man City side who were below their best. It has also put more pressure on to get a result against West Bromwich Albion at St Andrews in the high-noon showdown next saturday. Blues still have to look over their shoulders at Bolton and West Ham, but know that just two victories in their run-in should be enough to secure promotion, with the Albion game one that looks like one of their best chances. A disappointment, of that there is no doubt, but you still wouldn't trade Blues position for those of The Hammers or Bolton, and mark my words, in a week's time, Leeds United will be being talked about as relegation candidates too.
PLAYER RATINGS:
Bennett - Excellent return
Kenna - Reasonably sound
Clapham - Generally good but back off for goal
Upson - Immense
Cunningham - Magnificent
Johnson - Tucked inside too much, but was no doubt instructed to do so
Lazaridis - Couldn't get the better of Wright-Phillips
Savage - More reserved after booking
Clemence - Assured
Morrison - Worked hard
Dugarry - Flashes of genius, including some magnificent distribution
SUBS:
Horsfield - Woeful, and missed sitter
Devlin - Doesn't look capable at this level anymore
John - Little time for impact, but worked well