The final statistics show a lopsided match. West Ham had 18 shots to Birmingham City's seven while having a clear edge in possession. The match, however, was defined in one sequence mid-way through the second half, where back-to-back West Ham fouls portended Nikola Zigic's 66th minute goal, Wayne Bridge failing to mark the giant Serbian on Sebastian Larsson's set piece. In Sunday's early English Premier League match, that's all Birmingham City would need to post a 1-0 victory at West Ham United.
West Ham United Vs. Birmingham City: Nikola Zigic’s Smash Grabs Three For Blues
For the Hammers, the goal was an exemplar of their entire season, one that's led them to the bottom of the league as the season reaches the two-thirds mark. West Ham is a collection of recognizable names of debatable quality, a description that also loosely applies to Bridge. The former Southampton, Chelsea, and Manchester City left back has been terrible since being loaned to West Ham last month, and his Sunday lapse cost the Hammers a result from a match where they were the better side.
Of course, it’s difficult to argue West Ham was, in fact, better given they lost. While they looked the more capable side throughout, they never found a means of executing in the final third. Birmingham did, with Alex McLeish bringing on Larsson in the second half, a substitution that directly impacted the only goal. As a result, Birmingham City climbs to 16th place, the same spot West Ham would have occupied had they gotten a home win against (what was) the league’s 18th placed teams.
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