Test cricket strikes again

The players of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had to keep warm in St Andrews.

Publicly, the United boss may have aimed his hair dryer in a family goal after watching his team squander two points more precious and the opportunity to the top of the Premier League.

But after giving referee Mark Clattenburg a traditional game of hot air jet to send off Darren Fletcher for two yellow card offenses, steam can be sure have been coming out of his ears when he returned to the sanctuary of the locker room.

Ferguson have called for a household in which he was traveling with a single point when the level of dominance exerted United should have realized much more.
Click here to learn more!

He seeks an explanation of why the champions were grateful that an own goal by Eibar rescued from a league defeat of the session of the season after 39th minutes Cameron Jerome smash-and-grab.

"We dominated the game," Ferguson said. "We played absolutely brilliant in the first half."

He had to argue with that assessment - or claim that Fletcher Ferguson had been treated harshly when Cattenburg referee dismissed seven minutes from time.

The official rules of a challenge in Jerome, who barely touched the front of the city of his step was worth a second yellow card.

"I have seen a slight expulsion in my life," said Ferguson. "It is absolutely ridiculous."

However, Ferguson is famous for its ability to divert attention from the failures of his own team.

Even Birmingham boss Alex McLeish, Ferguson became a center of inflexible half good enough to play in successive World Cups in Scotland, he intimated that teams often commit to the reputation of United alone.

"In the first half proved too much respect for the U.S.," said McLeish. "We are much better in the second half when Fletcher was sent off and gave us even more momentum and have even won."

Birmingham is expecting their first win over United since 1978 - the year Ferguson took over at Pittodrie.

This was their seventh draw in 23 meetings later, but it was enough to bring them level on points with Liverpool and establish a high flying club record of 12 games without losing.

The Blues were forced to resort to survival instincts that McLeish has nurtured in his team during the first 45 minutes.

Ferguson was looking for a reaction after the shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Leeds - Dimitar Berbatov and Manchester made it recovers from a knee injury convenient, he succeeded.

As the city withdrew United's race instead. Fletcher thought he had found an initial lead with a shot from 12 yards that was destined for the net until the ball hit Sebastian Larsson.

Wayne Rooney twice squandered glorious opportunities in the space of 30 seconds.

First Antonio Valencia was clearly beautifully weighted pass only for City goalkeeper Joe Hart to enhance their growing reputation by saving with his legs.

Then, Valencia found Rooney lurking eight yards with a cross from the right, but could only place a weak header wide.

It seemed only a matter of time before the breakthrough came, but Tomasz Kuszczak was pick the ball out of your network instead of Hart.

Jerome conjured Birmingahm first effort on goal with a sharp turn and shot that deflected off behind Jonny Evans.

When United failed to clear James McFadden's inswinging corner, Lee Bowyer beat a loose ball park and there was no firing at Jerome-foot house.

Jerome, who supported United as a youth, he would have scored again when Christian Benitez had released him instead of allowing Patrice Evra to rob him in a ditch tackle.

Benitez started the second half to close a half-volley straight at Kuszczak.

Jerome then sliced a cross behind Benitez would have better accuracy when presented with a tap in.

United finally found a way past Hart on 63 minutes - and even then there was an element of luck and controversy about it.

Roger Johnson produced a brilliant block to deny Rooney but when the ball fell to Valencia through its unit goal was deflected into his own goal by Scott Dann.

United celebrations were cut short by an offside flag, but once the referee Clattenburg had told his assistant that the player who got the final touch wore blue instead of red, confirmed the goal.

Birmingham responded when Benitez fired once more the opportunity to fine directly after serving Kuszczak Evans brilliant.

Although Scholes 25 yards sizzle some more, the momentum was halted by the U.S. dismissal of Fletcher.

The Scot had been walking a tightrope after being booked for a rash challenge on Bowyer, just before halftime.

Clattenburg Fletcher warned several times and ran out of patience when Jerome stumbled on her challenge.

Birmingham fans were furious when they scored six minutes of stoppage time, for fear of another United show later.

But it was the home team, who almost won when Johnson Kuszczak volley hit in the chest and bounced clear.