Birmingham comeback stuns Hammers

WEST HAM were on the receiving end of a stunning Birmingham City comeback as they missed the chance to book their place at Wembley for the Carling Cup final.

The Hammers had looked on course for a clash against Arsenal next month when Carlton Cole’s magnificent 25-yard strike put them 3-1 up on aggregate. But Birmingham roared back in the second half, first levelling through a rasping Lee Bowyer drive before taking the lead on the night from a Roger Johnson header.

Craig Gardner then thundered in a third after the match entered extra-time, having seen two previous efforts rebound off the woodwork, and there was to be no reply from the away side.

It was the Irons that started the game by far the brighter side, with Zavon Hines on several occasions going close, seeing two strikes well saved by Ben Foster before ten minutes were on the clock.

Cole fired over after being put in by a lofted pass from Bridge, and the pressure continued with a series of threatening attacks.

The deadlock was eventually broken by Cole’s wonder-strike, although he was inexplicably allowed to turn after two Birmingham markers failed to deal with the danger from an innocuous position.

Matt Derbyshire did force Robert Green into a smart stop just a minute later, but the visitors could even have extended their advantage when Hines acrobatically turned Mark Noble’s free-kick goalwards, only to see the ball kiss the far post.

Whereas Birmingham were toothless in the first period, they emerged with teeth bared and keen to go straight for the Hammers’ throat, with 6ft 8in striker Nikola Zigic flung on by Alex McLeish to spearhead the revival.

And, while the former Valencia hitman is less than convincing on the deck, his aerial threat was vital in turning this tie on its head.

Gardner fired the first of two warning shots in the second half with a strike that clattered the post, only to flash across the face of goal and out of play.

The Blues were a different outfit and the pressure grew with a prolonged spell camped in West Ham territory.

Liam Ridgewell, scorer of Birmingham’s goal from the first leg, saw a header deflected behind. But from the resulting corner the hosts found a lifeline, and it arrived in similarly spectacular fashion as they had fallen behind on the night.

The ball wasn’t properly dealt with by the West Ham defence and it dropped loose for former Hammer Bowyer to run on to and meet with a thunderous half-volley that almost took Noble’s head off on the line but instead found the top corner.

The signs appeared ominous for the visitors. With 20 minutes to go Barry Ferguson brought the best out of Green, the keeper seeing the Scotsman’s shot late but managing to divert it away with a strong hand.

West Ham found themselves within touching distance of a Wembley final against Arsenal, with 11 minutes remaining. But the growing pressure told once more, and it was from another set-piece that caused the Hammers’ downfall.

Cameron Jerome’s powerful header was tipped over by Green, but the keeper could not do anything about the next effort.

Sebastian Larsson’s delivery was met by a towering header from Johnson, who got the better of Matthew Upson and nodded the ball into the turf and up into the net.

In the end, Avram Grant and his men were grateful for the final whistle that signalled extra-time, especially given that Gardner was getting closer with each effort, his latest in the dying seconds forcing a diving Green to nudge the ball on to the upright for the second time.

Earlier Jerome was denied by the feet of an increasingly busy Green.

Unfortunately, the tide remained the same as the game entered the added 30 minutes.

Stephen Carr picked the pocket of substitute Kieron Dyer, who had come on for Hines, in his own half and galloped forwards.

He laid the ball off to Gardner, who was given time to advance and make it third time lucky, drilling the ball goalwards, only this time Green could not deal with the swerving ball and the shot sneaked inside the far post.

The dramatic turnaround was complete, yet still West Ham pressed, always looking dangerous going forward.

Dyer spurned the best chance to equalise, diverting a Julien Faubert cross inches over the bar.

Gary O’Neil, West Ham’s new signing, made an appearance but could not make the difference as his side chased the game.

Grant’s cup magic had finally worn off, the team suffering their first defeat in competitions other than the league of the season.