Birmingham 1 - 0 Fulham: Early Lee Bowyer Strike Dispatches Fulham

Fulham created the first real chance of the game when a direct ball up to Bobby Zamora let the Cottagers striker break towards goal after a neat turn, but his shot inside the box was pulled tamely wide.

Five minutes later and Birmingham had their first opportunity to take the lead, but on this occasion the chance was converted emphatically by Lee Bowyer.

A fine pass by James McFadden allowed Bowyer a run at goal and a great dinked finish over the onrushing Mark Schwarzer gave him his 4th goal of the season and the Blues an early lead.

Some confusion amongst the Blues back-four almost allowed Fulham an easy route back into the game as a weak back-pass to Joe Hart was pounced on by Zamora but Hart managed to snuff out the danger. Again the impressive Hart was involved minutes later after some neat passing play between the Fulham strikers saw Clint Dempsey release Zamora on goal, but again Hart won the battle with the Cottagers striker as the ball was smothered out of harms way.

Down the other end Birmingham had a chance to extend their lead when a clumsy Brede Hangeland challenge resulted in a free-kick near goal. James McFadden swung a cross in but Schwarzer was equal to it and made a confident save.

Fulham had one last chance to get something from the first half after a corner was awarded and Simon Davies sent in an in-swinging corner but it was headed over by Hangeland and Fulham went into the break looking to re-group.

Second half and the visitors continued to probe for a leveler with their frontmen looking dangerous and Birmingham content to play on the counter.

Fulham had a decent chance from another corner when a neat cross was swung in by Paul Konchesky. Target-man Zamora headed the ball down to Zolten Gera only for the Hungarian to scuff his shot wide.

The Zamora v Hart battle continued as the rain began to pour in St. Andrews, this time the striker's powerful header was saved fantastically by the glovesmen after a cross by Davies.

With Birmingham sitting back, this invited the Londeners to monopolize possession and Damian Duff was next to have a go at goal but his long range shot flew wide, and was perhaps an indication of desperation as the Blues seemed comfortable to see the game out. 

Fulham had the last chance to salvage a point at the death when Dempsey found space in the box, but his shot was off-target and Birmingham saw the game out rather comfortably in the end.

This win helps Birmingham move away from the relegation zone, and they are now 4-games unbeaten in the league.

Michael Landon, Goal.com

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