West Ham Match Reports
FULL TIME: Hammers held to home draw by Birmingham
West Ham 1
Birmingham 1
(Barclays Premier League)
WEST Ham's quest for Europe this season took another set back as they were held to a draw at home by struggling Birmingham.
The Hammers were looking to pick up the pieces of last week's defeat at Wigan, and needed all three points to stay in the hunt for a top-six finish in the Premier League.
But, despite dominating the first half and creating a host of chances, they couldn't see off the determined Blues.
The east Londoners started the game brightly and took a seventh minute lead when Freddie Ljungberg scored his first for the club.
The Swedish star was at full stretch at the back post as he turned in Carlton Cole's flick on from George McCartney's long throw.
But, against the run of play, Birmingham equalised in the 14th minute from the penalty spot after James McFadden was hauled back by Hammers skipper Lucas Neill.
The Scottish forward dusted himself off and dispatched the spot kick neatly into the corner.
Matty Etherington had the hosts best chance to put his side back in front with a fiercely-struck shot that Blues keeper Maik Taylor did well to turn away.
A tighter second period saw both sides struggle to carve out a decent opening.
Gary McSheffrey's deflected effort soon into the half went just wide of the target for Birmingham.
Matty Upson went close to a winner for the Hammers in the 73rd minute - the defender connecting well with Etherington's free kick but unable to direct past Taylor.
Dean Ashton then flashed a shot wide moments later.
At the other end, Mikael Forsell's turn and shot went agonisingly wide of the target.
Hammers midfielder Lee Bowyer was sent off in the 88th minute for a lunge on Blues captain Damien Johnson.
West Ham: Green, Neill, McCartney, Upson, Ferdinand, Ljungberg, Etherington (Camara 83), Mullins, Bowyer, Cole (Faubert 62), Ashton (Spetcor 90). Unused subs: Wright, Collison.
4:54pm Saturday 9th February 2008
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