McLeish impressed by Birmingham´s hunger for success

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish believes his side’s FA Cup fourth round victory against Everton proves they have the hunger and ability to win the competition.

Goals from Christian Benitez and Barry Ferguson put the Blues ahead at Goodison Park and they held on for a 2-1 success despite Leon Osman?s second-half strike for the Toffees.

Birmingham have been the surprise package this season and are now unbeaten in 15 matches.

That has seen them transformed from relegation favourites to contenders for a Europa League position, while this win also means they now have to be considered as a danger side in the last 16 of the FA Cup.

“I thought the players showed great composure and two go in at half-time 2-0 up was quite a feat,” McLeish said.

“Both goals were absolutely delicious and the second in particular has to be a contender for goal of the month if not the season. These players are really hungry and ambitious.

“We will lose a game one day, I can guarantee you that but I would back these boys to come back from the set-back because I know the character and power we have in that dressing room.

“It would be great to go further in the cup but it would be good if the draw could be a bit kinder.

“But why shouldn’t we have ambitions to try and go a bit further. The league is the ambition but it would be lovely to get a bit further.”

Benitez gave Birmingham the lead after just seven minutes. After an Everton free-kick broke down, Ferguson superbly switched play to the right wing with a fine pass to Keith Fahey.

Fahey then delivered a wonderful cross into the box and Benitez managed to head past Tim Howard to give McLeish’s men the early advantage.

Everton played like a team devoid of ideas and inspiration in the first half. They never looked like threatening and were left to rue their inefficiency when Birmingham scored a truly stunning second goal.

Fahey brought Sebastian Larsson into play on the right wing and although his cross looked poor, Ferguson created something from nothing when he dummied and stepped over the ball in a move which completely threw the Everton defence.

James McFadden beautifully clipped the ball back to Ferguson who then curled past Howard as the Everton merely stood and watched and went into the break with it all to do.

They had a glimmer of hope after 56 minutes when Leighton Baines brilliantly beat Stephen Carr’s lunge and laid off to Steven Pienaar and after his simple pass along the edge of the box found Osman, the midfielder shot past Joe Hart to make it 2-1.

It ignited the Goodison Park crowd and Everton poured forward but Louis Saha missed two close opportunities as did Marouane Fellaini and Birmingham held on for a deserved win.

“We were so poor in the first half that it would have needed a very good second half performance,” Moyes said.

“I thought we had enough chances to get the draw but you have to give Birmingham the credit.

“They have come to Everton and performed well and got a couple of goals and deserve to go through – there is no argument about that.”