Nov 21, 2009 - 3:50 PM
0 shoutsBy MARK HENDRY STATS European Football Writer=
LONDON (SE) - Lee Bowyer scored the only goal as Birmingham overcame heavy second-half pressure from Fulham to win 1-0 at St Andrew's.
Bowyer's goal was his third in the Premier League this season and it was enough to take Birmingham into 13th position, level on points with Fulham who are two places higher on goal difference.
Fulham have now gone ten away matches in league and cup competitions since their last win and they failed to make the most of their overall dominance.
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson found defeat difficult to take after the way his team had swarmed all over Birmingham but had nothing to show for it.
Hodgson said: "We paid the ultimate price for a single mistake. We had so much possession that it seemed impossible for us not to score at some stage, but it just did not happen for us.
"I find it hard to explain away a defeat in those circumstances. We were dominant for so much of the match and I find it hard to criticise a good and competent Fulham performance."
Hodgson's description of Birmingham's winner as a defensive mistake was a little unfair on Bowyer and James McFadden who fashioned it for the much-travelled former West Ham and Leeds midfield player.
McFadden spotted Bowyer, capped once by England, free with an exquisite pass and Bowyer's looping finish gave Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer no chance of saving.
Schwarzer made an excellent save to deny McFadden a second Birmingham goal but most of the action was at the other end where the Blues were obliged to defend desperately at times.
As Birmingham moved a step closer to mid-table security, Hodgson was unable to provide clues to Fulham's away failures.
Hodgson said: "I don't know why this should be the case because our level of performance has been capable and we have produced some football without being properly rewarded at times.
"I would be more worried if we were playing badly but we are not. Even so, I don't want us to have to rely on our results at Craven Cottage to see us through."
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish considered the result and admitted his team had been a little fortunate to win.
"It was a welcome three points. We have striven hard over the last few games and played well without always getting the rewards.
"We did not play well against Fulham but we have won, so in some ways it is justice levelling itself out.
"In the end it was down to grit and determination because it was a horrible day in terms of the weather and those were the sort of qualities likely to succeed.
"There was not much about the match to remember but the goal was a bit of quality. It was a fantastic ball from McFadden and the finish from Bowyer was world class."
