Birmingham Taylor, Kelly, Ridgewell, Queudrue, Muamba, Palacios, Nafti (O’Connor 76), Schmitz (Danns 87), McSheffrey (de Ridder 59), Jerome, Kapo – subs De Ridder(59), O’Connor(76), Danns(87) Kingson(unused), Sadler(unused)

A GREAT GOAL FROM ELANO

Elano’s 4th goal in three games secures a sixth straight win in City’s best winning start at home since 1957. Although not the best performance of the season it was a tightly fought contest against a decent Birmingham side. Sven commented ‘It’s very good to win and take three points, knowing that you didn’t play to the best of your ability. For parts of the game, we played good football and should have scored more goals – but one is enough when You don’t concede’.
This was the highest home attendance of the season as the City bandwagon rolled on.

…The Swede learned two things on Saturday. First, his team can win when they are far from their best. And second, Elano can stand up to the rough stuff as well as handling jet Lag.

…What Bruce wouldn’t give for the extraordinary versatility of Elano, who only returned to the fold from Brazil on Friday lunch time and hadn’t kicked a ball until the warm up. His inclination to score only exceptional goals was illustrated for a third successive week.