Bruce relieved as Blues halve safety gap
Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has set his sights on catching West Brom after Emile Heskey’s goal earned three points against a battling Sunderland at St Andrews.
Heskey headed home his fourth Premiership goal of the season six minutes before the interval from a Jermaine Pennant free-kick for the only goal of the game.
It enabled third-from-bottom Blues to close the gap to three points on Albion who host Middlesbrough in another basement contest on Sunday.
Bruce said: “For the last 10 minutes it was a bit tense because we didn’t take our chances to kill the game off.
“Up until that stage Maik Taylor did not have a shot to save but the longer the score is 1-0, the more edgy you become.
“That seeps through to everyone, from the terraces to the players and certainly to the manager. A second goal would hav made life more comfortable but it is a crucial three points.
“We are within touching distance of the teams above us now and we will see how West Brom go on Sunday.
“Hopefully that’s put a bit of pressure on them and West Brom are the team we have got to look to catch. Hopefully, for the sake of midlands football, we can drag another team into it before the end of the season.”
Even in victory Bruce’s joy was blighted by injuries to three of his key players in Damien Johnson (knee), Chris Sutton (groin) and Muzzy Izzet (calf).
Bruce said: “That has been the story of our season. We get players coming back and now we’ve got three more out for I don’t know how long.
“They certainly could be doubtful for next week against Middlesbrough and also the following week against West Brom.”
Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy praised his goalkeeper Kelvin Davis who produced several fine second-half saves to make life difficult for City in the final stages.
He said: “Kelvin was terrific. He made three or four great saves when the going got tough.
“My players are also an honest bunch and they kept scrapping away. Birmingham were nervous and edgy and that always gives you a foothold in the game. Until the goal, there was not a thing between the two teams.”
McCarthy was unhappy with the goal from Heskey and felt that his defender Danny Collins was fouled.
He said: “We didn’t mark particularly well for the free-kick but Danny was barged in the back by Sutton and it left Heskey with a free header.”
