Recently in Reports Category

BLUES came out on top of a real battle at St Andrew's to keep the race for the Championship title alive.

An evenly-matched yet fiery first-half was overshadowed by Lee Carsley's straight red-card for a horrendous challenge on Chris Iwelumo, which resulted in the Scotland international being stretchered off in agony.

Cameron Jerome, who had earlier wasted a glorious chance to round Wayne Hennessey, got the better of the Wolves keeper to give Blues the lead right on the stroke of half-time.

DISAPPOINTING Blues' morale hit a new low down at the Ricoh yesterday.

Scott Dann's goal after just 59 seconds was enough to hand Coventry a deserved victory and yet again leave promotion-chasing Blues praying for results elsewhere to go their way.

Fortunately, Reading's defeat at home to Bristol City eased the blow for Blues, who will now be waiting on today's encounter between leaders Wolves and dark horses Cardiff.

This result completed back-to-back home defeats of the Championship's top two for Cov and ignited the Sky Blues' faint hopes of making the play-offs.

WHEN the final whistle sounded Kevin Phillips took a deep breath, sighed and looked to the heavens.

Only a few moments earlier Phillips had been put clean through on goal by Gary McSheffrey as Blues sprang devastatingly out of defence from a Norwich corner.

Phillips took a touch to steady himself inside the penalty area, a touch too much as it turned out, and David Marshall rushed out to save with an outstretched leg.

It was a gilt-edged opportunity for the goalscorer supreme, an invite to maintain Blues 100 per cent start and keep them top of the Championship.

IN the annals of games that make you want to shudder and forget quickly, this was up with the best of the worst.

It was wretched stuff from Blues, making a mockery of their hitherto 100 per cent start to the season.

There were changes to the side, sure, but Southampton also shuffled their pack and were more eager, nowhere near as sloppy in possession, and seemed as if they really wanted to remain in the Carling Cup.

Jordon Mutch was given his bow, coming on as the second youngest debutant in club history, as Alex McLeish sought to inject some youthful exuberance and zip but there was little the 16-year-old could do to elicit change as everywhere around him there was mediocrity and sprightly Saints, who had more of an edge throughout.

BIRMINGHAM secured their best start to a league campaign for 11 years by brushing aside Barnsley at St Andrew's.

Kevin Phillips and Garry O'Connor continued their prolific early-season form to secure maximum points from the opening three games and send Blues to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

Former England striker Phillips lost his marker in the 13th minute to head home his third goal in as many league games and hand Blues the lead in a hard-fought encounter.

But the home side did not have it all their own way and Diego Leon fired a 25-yard effort against the crossbar.

However, O'Connor followed Phillips' lead to escape his marker and head his second league goal of the campaign just before the interval.

The result leaves Barnsley rooted to the foot of the table and gives boss Simon Davey much to ponder after four consecutive defeats.