Birmingham and Stoke play out goalless draw

Aug 22, 2009 - 6:00 PM By MARK HENDRY STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Birmingham manager Alex McLeish praised his side's defending after being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to Stoke on Saturday.

McLeish's side are yet to score from open play since their return to the Premier League but have taken four points from their opening three games, conceding just one goal.

McLeish said: "Stoke had eight men behind the ball on the edge of their box and it is very difficult to penetrate that.

"They were beaten by a world class team in Liverpool on Wednesday night but they can do that to anybody on their day.

"It is not easy to score goals no matter who you are playing against.

"You can be playing against a pub team but if they are well organised it can be difficult to score goals if the players work as hard as the Stoke players worked.

"It is not a bad result although we would have preferred to get two wins back-to-back. It was a tough game against a resilient team and we had to work hard to get in behind them.

"It is a big step up into the Premier League but we have defended well so far and that is pleasing."

McLeish also confirmed Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung's 60 million pounds takeover of Birmingham is on course.

"It looks as if the takeover might happen but you never know," he said.

"According to the stock market yesterday there was the usual jargon that tells you something is going to happen with Birmingham City Football Club."

Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen's flying save to keep out Garry O'Connor's second half header was the only highlight from an uninspiring clash as the two sides produced an early contender for worst game of the season.

Substitute Sebastian Larsson's free kick picked out O'Connor and the Scot's powerful close range header was brilliantly palmed away by Sorensen.

Birmingham were missing striker Cameron Jerome and defender Gregory Vignal after the pair failed late fitness tests so veteran Kevin Phillips was a surprise starter.

Stoke suffered an early setback as James Beattie hobbled with a leg injury off after just 11 minutes following a collision with Birmingham goalkeeper Joe Hart.

The Potters carved the best opening of a lifeless first half in the 21st minute.

Rory Delap's long throw caused havoc in the Birmingham defence and Dave Kitson's flick found its way to Liam Lawrence but the ball cannoned harmlessly off the midfielder's knee and behind for a goal kick.

The match opened up in the closing stages and Stoke did have the ball in the net in the 73rd minute but Ricardo Fuller's effort was rightly ruled out after the Jamaican had pushed it in with his hand.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis felt his side deserved to win.

Pulis said: "We are a bit disappointed not to come away with three points. Thomas has made the save of the game but apart from that they did not really trouble us."