Mikael Forssell scored his first Premiership goal from open play for two years as Birmingham grabbed a Premiership lifeline against Blackburn. Earlier, Robbie Savage had equalised Nicky Butt's earlier strike to leave a share of the spoils looking likely until Forssell's strike four minutes from time.
The result lifts Birmingham out of the bottom three on goal difference and leaves them in pole position with three games to go to ensure their Premiership survival. "When Robbie scored, I thought it was going to be the ultimate kick in the teeth after the way the last six months have been here," said Steve Bruce.
"But it was our night. We got what we deserved. We were the better side. We missed chances in the first half and we always seemed to make life difficult for ourselves. But the players have owed the club a bit of pride since losing 7-0 to Liverpool and we never gave up.
"Our results in the past three home games in particular, a draw with Chelsea and wins over Bolton and Blackburn, all teams in the top six, has been a fantastic achievement. We have given ourselves a fighting chance and I'm sure there'll be more twists and turns before things are finally settled."
At the end of the Premiership and Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack has agreed a four-year deal with Chelsea, according to media reports in Germany. The German public broadcaster ZDF said all that was left was for Ballack, 29, and Chelsea to dot the I's and cross the T's.
"According to information from ZDF, Michael Ballack and the English champions have agreed a four-year contract. The captain of Germany and the London club must only sign the contract now."
There has been no official confirmation from either Chelsea or Bayern. Ballack, who is out of contract at Bayern this summer, is refusing to sign a new deal with the Bundesliga giants and has admitted being in 'serious negotiations' with the Stamford Bridge club.
Moving into the Championship and Niall Quinn is still trying to put together a consortium to buy Sunderland. The Black Cats will play in the Coca-Cola Championship next season after a torrid Premiership campaign. However, Quinn believes there is huge potential at the Stadium of Light and that Sunderland could be bigger than their near neighbours Newcastle.
Quinn said: "I don't know how much they (the Sunderland board) are going to look for but my worries now would not be financial at this stage - unless Sunderland go mad. It is not about putting money on the table and making an offer for a football club.
"We have to prove to ourselves, before we go near any fans or any club, that we are capable of running a football club. It's a jungle, as I have found out in the last three weeks. It's not a simple thing at all and that's what I am in the middle of at the moment, making sure myself and my group are capable of doing a job that this club deserves. Until we get to the bottom of that we can't possibly approach Sunderland."
"Everybody thinks Newcastle are far bigger than Sunderland but I know if this club goes right we will be bigger. That's what attaches to me to it. It is the potential, it is the people, it's their spirit."
Finally, Paul Scholes has admitted he may never be totally free of the blurred vision which brought a premature end to his season. The Manchester United midfielder has not played since being sent for a scan by Sir Alex Ferguson following the Red Devils' Premiership draw with Birmingham in December.
The former England star has now resumed light training, although he has not yet started contact work and will not play again this season. "It has not completely gone yet," Scholes said. "It has been four months now, so I am not sure it will be completely normal but I should be okay to start playing again. I don't really know why it happened. Apparently, it is something quite rare in people my age.
"Unfortunately, it has happened to me and I just have to get on with it. My aim now is for next season. As long as I am ready for then I will be happy. I was a bit worried but it has been more frustrating than anything else because, while, as a footballer, you expect to pull muscles, this was something completely different. I never really thought I had played my last game or anything like that. I was just focused on getting it right and the sooner I could get back the better."
