Birmingham City vs Arsenal

1. 94'

   <b>FULL TIME</b> Their first goal was controversial, but Arsenal were very impressive in the second half, with Fabregas and Nasri outstanding. Arsenal are now two points behind Man Utd and Man City, having played a game more than the former and one less than the latter.

2. 94'

   More beguiling football from Arsenal in the Birmingham box results in a corner for the away side.

3. 93'

   A scramble ensues in the Arsenal box when the corner is delivered but Birmingham cannot convert after the bar scrapes against the bar. That should just about be that.

4. 93'

   Djourou meets a Phillips cross and Birmingham have a late corner.

5. 91'

   We will have three minutes of added time.

6. 90'

   Cesc Fabregas produces a glorious pass to find Van Persie, unmarked and two yards out. However, his header lacks the power to beat Foster.

7. 89'

   The chants of "Eduardo" ring out around St Andrew's again. Arsenal supporters are still raw at the memory of that horrible incident.

8. 88'

   Arshavin plays in Van Persie with a lovely ball but Dann and Johnson both throw themselves in to challenge the Dutchman.

9. 86'

   Arsenal string together another flowing move, with Song getting in on the act with a backheel. They have played some wonderful stuff today.

10. 85'

    Carr gets into an advanced position and produces a dangerous, rifled cross that is deflected behind for a corner.

11. 84'

    Arshavin, of all people, harries and chases, forcing Stephen Carr into a mistake. Perhaps being dropped from the starting XI has given him a little kick up the bum.

12. 82'

    Arsenal work the corner short and into the box before Denilson's shot is deflected behind for another corner.

13. 81'

    Arshavin almost scores with his first touch. Van Persie teed him up with a lovely little pass but Foster threw himself across goal to turn the shot round the post.

14. 81'

    Wilshere turned 19 today, and while he had one of his quieter games, it is amazing to reflect that he is now an established member of Arsenal's first XI at such a tender age.

15. 80'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Birmingham replace Cameron Jerome with Kevin Phillips.

16. 79'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Arshavin and Denilson are on, but it is Wilshere and Walcott who are given a rest.

17. 79'

    Zigic beats Fabianski to a high ball but he is adjudged to be offside.

18. 78'

    Alex Hleb tests Wilshere with a run near the touchline and after conceding a corner, the Arsenal man boots the ball into the stands in anger.

19. 76'

    Arsenal are readying Andrei Arshavin and Denilson on the touchline. Nasri and Fabregas to come off perhaps?

20. 75'

    Birmingham have lost at home only once this season, underlining just what a superb result this is for Arsenal.

21. 75'

    Arsenal indulge in some intricate passing in the Birmingham box that comes to little, and why not? They have been excellent today.

22. 73'

    Alex Song fizzes a pass into Walcott and the winger takes a couple of touches before testing Foster with a low effort. A nice effort.

23. 71'

    This is one of those games where Arsenal look a class apart and you think they must be serious contenders. However, as we know, they are usually prone to a shock result or two.

24. 70'

    Robin van Persie plays a glorious little pass into the path of Fabregas, who rifles his shot over the bar.

25. 69'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Bowyer is taken off before he gets himself sent off, with Nikola Zigic on in his place.

Leaders

BIRARS

Total Shots

Stephen Carr

1

Theo Walcott

6

Accurate Passes

Barry Ferguson

63

Cesc Fàbregas

58

Saves

Ben Foster

9

Lukasz Fabianski

1