Birmingham came racing out of the traps against a recently impressive Bolton side, good work on the right flank by James McFadden released Lee Bowyer, as the midfielder paced into the penalty area ahead of Gretar Steinsson, and the 33-year-old cut the ball back across the face of goal for Roger Johnson to slot home his first for the club.

The Blues continued their dominance after the breakthrough, pegging the home side inside their own half with Sebastian Larsson floating in a couple of free kicks to test their opposition’s resolve.

Bolton’s first real assault on Ben Foster’s goal came after 20 minutes when a powerful run by Johan Elmander, from the edge of his own penalty, resulted in a free kick for his side on the edge of Birmingham’s penalty area. Stuart Holden took over, and his dipping attempt forced a good save out of the England international.

Wanderers finally started to settle mid-way through the first half, and started nullifying Birmingham’s dominance by flinging cross after cross into the area, only to be thwarted by goal scorer Roger Johnson and his centre-back partner Scott Dann.

This pressure was immediately undercut by a moment of sheer madness by Trotters goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. As Roger Johnson chased a loose ball, he clumsily collided with the Finnish goalkeeper, and as they were both getting to their feet, Johnson started to apologise only to be met by the open palm of Jaaskelainen to his face. The 35-year-old was immediately dismissed as Johnson saw yellow for the initial challenge.

Birmingham started the second half as they began the first, and were rewarded with a second goal just five minutes after the break.

James McFadden again impressed in the build-up, and his floated cross found Cameron Jerome to nod back across goal for Craig Gardner to slot home at the second attempt to put his side 2-0 in front.

Wanderers should have got one back immediately when Chung-Yong Lee’s lofted ball forward found Elmander in the area but, with the ball slightly behind the Swedish striker, he miss-hit his effort and Foster comfortably cleaned up.

Despite their superior attacking intent the Trotters were very wasteful in front of goal but when Johnson, the man involved in all of the tie’s action, was penalised for climbing all over Kevin Davies inside the area, the 33-year-old got up and promptly smashed home an emphatic penalty for his 100^th league goal to give his team a lifeline that they appeared unable to find themselves.

The penalty seemed to give Bolton the belief that they could get a result after being 2-0 down and just 10 minutes later they were level when new signing Robbie Blake curled home a fantastic free-kick for his first for his new club, against one of his old clubs.

Both clubs came close to a winner in the final stages, with Davies first shooting into the side netting from a tight angle.

Then, deep into injury time, Jerome was thwarted by Bolton’s substitute keeper Adam Bogdan, on his Premier League debut, to save an unlikely point for his team.

HIGHLIGHTS

Manager Alex McLeish has long been interested in the 24-year-old midfielder who has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Premier League side.

“Michel is in a great age group and has got good legs and a lovely touch on the ball as you would imagine from a Spanish player performing at La Liga level,” McLeish said.

Michel, whose full name is Miguel Marcos Madera, is a product of Gijon’s youth system and has made 138 appearances for the club, scoring seven times since forcing his way into the first team during the 2005/06 season.

The midfielder will give more options to high-flying Blues, who find themselves level on points with Liverpool in eighth position.

The player arrives in the Midlands having been named the Spanish side’s player of the season for two successive years.

The Red Devils drew 1-1 at Birmingham City on Saturday, a result which follows on from an FA Cup exit to Leeds United and Premier League defeats to Aston Villa and Fulham.

But the 35-year-old is confident that experience and determination can turn things round for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.

“You thrive on adversity, the more it happens the better it is for us. We have probably been written off at some stage every season and this year is going to be no different. We just have to prove people wrong again.” Scholes said.

And Scholes is optimistic about the Red Devils’ chances of claiming some silverware this season.

“There is no disaster yet. I wouldn’t say we were bullish. But we are a point behind Chelsea, which is not a bad position even though we have played a game more, We are also in the last 16 of the Champions League and have that important League Cup semi-final against Manchester City. Okay, we had the disappointment of Leeds but every side has one of those every now and then. The fact is, we are still on the hunt for three major trophies. Hopefully we can win at least one.” he asserted.

Goal:

16′ [1 - 0] L. Bowyer

Liverpool vs Birmingham City (AFP/Getty Images)

An incident-packed game at Anfield saw Liverpool rescue a point courtesy of a debateable penalty from Steven Gerrard after Birmingham City had came back from going behind early on to take the lead through goals by Christian Benitez and Cameron Jerome.

The home side again started the game without their talismanic duo Steven Gerrard, and Fernando Torres and with Jamie Carragher also missing out through suspension and they were sluggish in the opening minutes at a subdued Anfield.

Indeed it took a full over 10 minutes before Rafael Benitez’s men found their stride. However, when they did it didn’t take long before the Birmingham goal was breached.

Glen Johnson, impressive throughout the first half down the right for Liverpool, was the instigator. Rampaging down the flank he slid in Yossi Benayoun with a fine pass but the Israeli couldn’t find a team-mate with a neat pull back that was instead claimed by Hart.

Seconds later and Hart was called into action yet again. A driving run by Javier Mascherano found David Ngog but the youngster could only shoot tamely at the City stopper from close range.

Yet it was to prove only a temporary reprieve for Alex McLeish’s men as moments later the Frenchman opened the scoring in emphatic style, but only after Hart had pulled off a tremendous double save.

Johnson, again, was the creator racing into the box and squaring for Ngog whose first-time shot was parried by Hart and into the path of Dirk Kuyt who was again denied by the goalkeeper. Yet just when it appeared that Liverpool had wasted the chance Riera picked up the loose ball crossed for Ngog to smash a superb left-footed volley into the back of net.

Confidence flooded through the home side and they could have had a second shortly afterwards with Riera and Insua setting up Kuyt but the Dutch international could only head over when well-placed.

The home side were threatening to double their lead  but, as has so often been the case this season they continue to look defensively vulnerable, and it was to prove their downfall once again as the visitors scored with their first effort on goal mid-way through the first half.

A free kick to the far post by James McFadden found an unmarked Roger Johnson who headed back across goal where the ball was flicked on by Liam Ridgewell to Christian Benitez who headed confidently past Reina to level the scores.

A deflated Anfield was stunned but the Merseysiders continued to dominate the play, Mascherano forcing Hart to tip a fizzing shot over the bar and only some last gasp defending by the Blues preventing Hart from having more work to do.

Yet despite their dominance, there were still a few warnings for Liverpool with a good break by McFadden and Cameron Jerome teeing up Benitez who couldn’t beat Reina.

With half-time approaching Steven Gerrard arrived for the hamstrung Albert Riera and whilst his presence lifted the crowd he couldn’t prevent Birmingham from taking the lead with a stunning strike.

A headed ball forward by Ridgewell found Jerome who controlled the ball, shrugged off the attentions of Mascherano before unleashing a superb shot from fully 30 yards which dipped over Reina to hand the visitors a shock lead at the break.

It took the Reds only three minutes of the second half to try their luck at goal, Gerrard setting up Lucas but the Brazilian’s shot was straight at Hart who claimed it at the second attempt.

Yet an increasingly frustrated home crowd then had to wait until the hour mark for their side’s next clear chance. More menace from Johnson down the right saw the full back cross for Gerrard whose header crashed against the outside of the post.

A goal seemed inevitable and with 20 minutes to go the pressure finally told after Lee Carsley was adjudged to have brought down Ngog in the box, a controversial decision as there appeared to be no contact between the players.

The Birmingham players were furious but Gerrard ignored the furore surrounding him and stepped up to calmly send Hart the wrong way and claim the equaliser.

The home side were now rampant, with Birmingham hanging on desperately, and Ngog and Gerrard both went close in a frantic final 10 minutes but ultimately could not make their dominance pay and they remain a distant seventh in the Premier League table.

Liverpool failed to win against Birmingham City n the English Premier League, 2009-11-09. Check out the highlights!

Rafael Benitez (guardian)

EPL Football News – Liverpool seems to have a problem of having lack of good substitute. After having an injury crisis, Liverpool Coach Rafael Benitez could smile a bit now. Speaking to FIFA.com, the former Valencia boss told that the crisis in his squad is finally improving.

Fabio Aurelio, Albert Riera and Martin Skrtel have returned to training, as has Steven Gerrard after being unable to train for a fortnight owing to his groin injury.

“The injury situation is improving,” Benitez said.

“Several players have been in light training. But there is a big difference, though, between being fit and being available. Gerrard has trained after being unable to do so for 15 days. He cannot be considered to be fit.

“Torres is a little better. He will train and work with the physios, but whether he will be okay to play against Birmingham [City, on Monday], we do not know yet. He could play and we must be careful with him.

“We will look at the situation after every training session. The experience I have had for many years with this sort of problem is to carry on and see how players react. Some can play all season with the problem, some need to stop and rest. They are all different.”

“Torres is the one who can play,” he said.

“He has been in pain, but he wants to play for the team – he has a great mentality. I believe we can carry on with him.

“Let us see how we do in the next game, then they will have 15 days of the international break to get fit, then let’s see how they are after that.”

English Premier League: Birmingham City vs Sunderland AFC 2:1. Highlights.

Gareth Bale (dailymail)

According to The Daily Mirror, Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish is set to make Tottenham Hotspur full-back Gareth Bale one of the first signings under Carson Yeung’s ownership.

Bale has failed to make an impact at White Hart Lane since being signed by Martin Jol for £5 million from Southampton in 2007.

It is understood that the 20-year-old Welshman, who has only made one league start so far this season, will be allowed to leave if Birmingham are willing to come up with the required £3m.

McLeish, who has been handed a £40m transfer kitty, is also said to have Sporting Gijon playmaker Michel and Rangers striker Kris Boyd in his sights.