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Your support makes all the difference.Andy Johnson's expertly taken first-half goal enabled West Bromwich to make it a Black Country one-two at the First Division summit at St Andrews last night. Victory in a fractious derby against Birmingham, who had Danny Sonner sent off for elbowing Phil Gilchrist, lifted Albion to within two points of Wolves.
Albion had wasted two opportunities to seize second place. This time, against a side whose display reflected the uncertainty over Birmingham's attempts to appoint Steve Bruce as manager, Gary Megson's side resisted second-half pressure to claim their highest position since beating the same opponents by an identical score four years ago.
Despite reports that Crystal Palace are demanding £1m to release the former Manchester United captain, Birmingham hope to install him as Trevor Francis' successor before they fall further behind the promotion pack. One of their joint caretaker managers, Mick Mills, said afterwards: "It will take however long it takes. We've got 10 days until the next match. It'll be interesting."
As and when Bruce does arrive, he will inherit what Megson described as "a good side", and one particular player, Geoff Horsfield, whose endeavours had him drooling: "That's the best centre-forward's performance I've seen in a long, long time." Megson would like to be able to compete for such a striker, having sold Lee Hughes last summer and lost Jason Roberts to injury, but Albion's relative lack of purchasing power merely makes their position more laudable.
The contest was played at a ferocious pace on a pitch made slippery by persistent rain, yet chances were at a premium. Larus Sigurdsson glanced the best early opening wide with the goal at his mercy following Michael Appleton's sixth-minute free-kick.
Albion looked the more polished side, however, and deserved their 37th-minute goal. After a clever turn, Andy Johnson's 18-yard shot was parried by Nico Vaesen, whereupon Neil Clement laid the ball back for Johnson to curl it into the far corner of the net.
Birmingham's fightback began in the 52nd minute when Andrew Johnson's deep cross was knocked back across goal to give Horsfield an opening, only for Gilchrist to make a saving tackle.
As Horsfield carried the fight to Albion, Mr Halsey interpreted Sigurdsson's attempted clearance as a back pass. The free-kick, inside the box, was rolled to Nicky Eaden, but Sigurdsson broke from the wall to block his drive.
Sonner was dismissed in the 77th minute for an aerial challenge in which Mills felt he led with an arm rather than maliciously with an elbow.
Birmingham City (4-4-2): Vaesen; Eaden, Purse, M Johnson, Grainger; Andrew Johnson, Sonner, O'Connor (Luntala, 71), Woodhouse; Horsfield, Mooney (Ferrari, 71). Substitutes not used: Burrows, Hutchinson, Bennett (gk).
West Bromwich Albion (3-5-2): Hoult; Sigurdsson, Butler, Gilchrist; Balis (J Chambers, 61), McInnes, Appleton, Andy Johnson, Clement; Rösler (Taylor, 67), Dobie. Substitutes not used: Fox, Jordao, Adamson (gk).
Referee: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City).
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