Birmingham-Newcastle: Relegation Battle Ends in Draw

Newcastle United traveled to Birmingham tonight, desperate to avoid defeat against relegation rivals Birmingham City.

The match at St. Andrew’s is of up most importance to both sides, as they’re both hovering above the drop zone.

Birmingham will see this as a game with a high potential for three points. They may only have won one game recently, but it was a fantastic display last time out at St Andrews. The Blues beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-1, thanks mainly to a hat trick from Mikael Forssell.

A win today would see Birmingham leap frog Sunderland and Newcastle, away from the danger zone. Well at least for another week.

Newcastle are without a win since Kevin Keegan returned to the club. Four defeats on the trot and no win in 12 games make’s the Magpies league position precarious.

The Toon sit just three points above the relegation zone in 15th place. With more difficult games coming up and Fulham’s surprise 1-0 win over Everton, it’s just getting tighter at the bottom of the EPL.

Birmingham's James McFadden was restored to the starting eleven in place of Zarate. For Newcastle, Mark Viduka and Obefemi Martins, both returned to the starting line up.

Both teams started the game strongly but it was Birmingham who had the first sight of goal. McFadden with a long range strike that was deflected agonizingly wide.

The Blues continued to look the more likely scorers with McFadden having a very bright start. Forssell and Radhi Jaidi missing further early chances.

Fabio Capello was an interested spectator and was obviously casting his eye over Newcastle's Captain Michael Owen and Steven Taylor.

It was Owen who had Newcastle's first shot in anger after 23 minutes. The forward finding himself just outside the box with a site at goal. Maik Taylor in the Birmingham goal wasn't troubled by Owen's effort as it sailed over the bar.

By this stage City were playing some fantastic 'Arsenal' style football with the Scot, McFadden at the heart of it all.

The opening goal came after 33 minutes and it was that man McFadden who scored it. He spun off his marker before poking the ball home past Steve Harper in the Newcastle goal.

The goal came after some sustained play from Newcastle, who had been starting to get back in the game. The Nigerian Martins played out wide instead of his normal strikers position but looked the Magpies biggest threat.

At halftime Birmingham were seemingly in control of this one. I hate to pick out McFadden again, but what a game he's having!

Newcastle came out for the second half knowing they needed something from this game. Defeat was unthinkable for the Toon.

A better opening to the second half was rewarded with an equalizer. Michael Owen (who had just missed a sitter) diving in to slide home the rebound from a Martins shot in the 55th minute. The goal gave Newcastle some much needed confidence, and it was they, who looked more likely to score a winner.

The clocked ticked by in the second half without either team going ahead and with only the yellow card count mounting.

The final whistle sounded leaving both teams with a point and a missed opportunity to claim all three points in this relegation battle.

A tale of two halves with the points shared is probably a fair reflection, but I doubt either team will be too happy.

Both sides move up a place in the EPL, but it's still a long long way from top-flight survival!