EPL 09/10: City earn a draw thanks to Shay Given

Shay Given saved a second-half penalty to help Manchester City claim a 0-0 draw at Birmingham which moves them up to fourth in the Premier League table.

City were lacklustre throughout and hardly tested Birmingham keeper Maik Taylor, whilst the home side will think they could have taken victory.

The big moment came early in the second-half when Nigel De Jong was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, but James McFadden could not beat the excellent Given.

It was a fourth successive draw in the Premier League for Mark Hughes’ side, who still climbed into fourth.

But Hughes, who celebrated his 46th birthday, knows City will have to show a massive improvement if they are to sustain their challenge.

In the ninth minute, Benitez came close to giving them the lead. His low 20 yard drive took a deflection off Vincent Kompany and crashed against Given’s left-hand post.

Benitez caused plenty of early problems, and Given made an excellent block on the edge of his box to deny the Ecuador international the opening goal.

City tried to retaliate – and Maik Taylor, replacing on-loan City man Joe Hart in goal, was unable to cling on to a fierce drive from Wright-Phillips. But Stephen Carr made the clearance.

Taylor blocked a point-blank-range effort from Roque Santa Cruz after good play by Carlos Tevez and Wright-Phillips down the right flank.

Sebastian Larsson was incensed when brought down in full flight by Nigel De Jong, but the Dutch midfielder escaped a booking. Referee Mike Dean came across to the dugout and spoke to Birmingham assistant manager Roy Aitken, before allowing play to continue.

Given again excelled himself when saving a fierce attempt from Bowyer, before Dann was yellow-carded in first-half injury-time for a challenge on Tevez.

Wayne Bridge was booked after kicking the ball away, as the visitors continued to look below their best.