
Going into this one, it looked as if we would have a proper fight on our hands against a Birmingham side who’d seemingly forgotten how to lose. As it turned out though, right form the off it didn’t look as if this would end in anything but another home win.
Joe Cole, who had a good first half beat Bowyer just six minutes in, putting in a beauty of a cross for Malouda to head past Joe Hart. A few chances put away could’ve seen us increase our lead, although Carvalho was unlucky to see his header come off the post and Joe Cole saw his shot deflected wide.
We looked good for the lead we did have though, dominating play with plenty of confidence in attack and probably very little to do defensively for much of the first-half. So, a second goal came as no surprise, and it came from about 25 yards out courtesy of Frank Lampard. It was a lovely move which ended in Ballack’s pass being drilled home by what used to be a trademark goal for the 20-a-season man.
Back from the break with a 2 goal cushion and it was pretty much as-you-were. Nicolas Anelka hit the side netting with a shot before Ballack was first denied by Hart, who was equal to the German’s quality header although didn’t have to put so much effort in second time around when Ballack volleyed over the bar. We took our foot off the pedal a bit and Birmingham took the opportunity to gain a bit of possession although danger never looked far away for them to be honest, particularly with Ashley Cole’s performance, who just about tortured them for much of it down the flanks.
With about a quarter of the game left, Cech was called upon for his first real bit of serious keeping, tipping over Keith Fahey’s effort. But if there was ever any doubt about the result – which there really wasn’t anyway – Lampard put it to rest once Malouda squared the ball to him, slotting it home in the final minute.
And he couldn’t have picked a better time of the season to find his shooting boots!