Premier League Review 02/07 Birmingham City 2-1 Wolverhampton

Birmingham came out looked a tired squad this week as they faced a physical team in the Wolves. When I watched the matched, I realized that the Birmingham side was being pushed and bullied around. They could get the ball down the field but could not get anything into the box. The Wolves were biding their time. As a lesser side in their first year in the league they have learned to wait and to strike when the chance comes. And come it did.

Near the end of the first half, Birmingham took a shot on goal that was blocked by Wolves keeper, the american Hahnemann, on a quick counter attack their striker, Doyle, knocked it past the Birmingham keeper to give them a shocking 0-1 lead.

Much as the first half, the second half saw Wolves push around Birmingham and lock up the final third of the field. Nothing was allowed to go through. A substitution changed all of that. In the 63 rd minute, Phillips, a 37 year old striker came in for the Hounduran, Benitez who looked to be hurt on a challange inside the Wolves box. A pair of beautiful goals by Phillips starting at the 80th minute and one at the 86th minute, turned the game from a shocking Birmingham loss to yet another victory. Birmingham moved up to within four of Villa and a chance to be a fifth team to place in the fourth spot for Champions league qualification. Meanwhile Wolves found themselves in 19th, still fodder for regulation.