Blues knocked off top spot

Birmingham City were knocked off the top of the league yesterday by a Norwich side who were on top for much of this 1-1 draw.

Sebastian Larsson scored against the run of play to give Birmingham the half-time lead, but Russell struck straight after the break to deny the visitors a fourth straight league win.

Kevin Phillips tried to catch Norwich cold in the third minute when he sent in a shot from distance, but Marshall saved well.

But then Norwich got on top and only a good save from Maik Taylor prevented Russell from opening the scoring. Soon after Lupoli tried to curl one in from the edge of the box but Taylor was right behind the effort.

At the other end, Phillips sent a 20 yard drive over the bar.

Then just six minutes before half time, Blues took the lead. Bertrand felled McFadden and the ref awarded Blues a free kick, the striker took it and sent a ball which was met by the head of Larsson at the near post and Birmingham were a goal up.

But Norwich came out for the second half determined and they struck back within seconds of the restart.
Lupoli ran at the Blues defence and then squared the ball for Russell who drove his effort past Taylor and Norwich were level.

Norwich kept coming forward looking for the winner while Alex McLeish brought on Bent and McSheffrey, but they couldn`t find a way through

But about a minute from time Phillips could have got another late winner but Marshall saved his close range effort.

Norwich: Marshall, Otsemobor, Kennedy, Stefanovic, Bertrand, Pattison (Croft 68), Clingan, Fotheringham, Hoolahan, Lupoli (Cureton 59), Russell.

Subs Not Used: Nelson, Koroma, Archibald-Henville.

Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Parnaby, Martin Taylor, Ridgewell, Murphy, Larsson, Agustien (McSheffrey 69), Carsley, Owusu-Abeyie (Bent 46), McFadden, Phillips.

Subs Not Used: Doyle, O'Connor, Jaidi.

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