After Joe Hart's blunder on Sunday to allow Leicester the draw in the FA Cup, it was the the first leg of the first semi final of the League Cup. West Ham hosted Birmingham at Upton Park and bad news for England was that another top English goalkeeper made an awful blunder to allow their opponents the win.
Avram Grant's job is still very much on the line despite their 2-0 win in the FA Cup. Brighter news for the Hammers though is that Wayne Bridge is looking likely to join on loan from Manchester City. As for Birmingham, Alex McLeish's side were looking at a real prospect at bringing some silverware back to the Midlands. It was the home side that started strongly and after three glorious chances in as many seconds Mark Noble eventually found the net from an incredibly acute angle. The second half didn't go West Ham's way, however, as Birmingham found an equaliser just nine minutes after the restart; Liam Ridgewell finding the with a powerful header. It got even worse for West Ham just three minutes later when Victor Obinna had a quick rush of blood, or rush of stupidity, and kicked out at Seb Larsson and deservedly received a red card. The blunderous moment came twelve minutes from time when Carlton Cole struck a relatively soft shot to the right of keeper Foster, he looked have made sufficent ground to comfortably save it but the ball somehow managed to go through Foster's legs and roll into the net. Giving West Ham a 2-1 lead going into the second leg at St.Andrews and giving Avram Grant slightly more job security.
A quick note on the FA Cup, the final third round tie was played yesterday between Wycombe and Hereford. After two goals on Saturday in the second round replay, his second being the ultimate winner, Mathieu Manset was on hand to score the only goal after 32 minutes to set up a fourth round tie away to Sheffield Wednesday.
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