Football Focus Highlight

A Scott Dann own-goal saved Manchester United's blushes as they drew 1-1 at Birmingham City, who extended their unbeaten Premier League run to 12 matches.

The visitors were forced to come from behind, with a fortuitous intervention from Dann earning them a point, as Alex McLeish's side showed that their recent run to the top half of the table is no fluke.

Cameron Jerome opened the scoring for the hosts, who defended well against a hard-working but uninspired United side that had to hold on in the end after Darren Fletcher's late sending off.

In the freezing cold on an icy pitch, United dominated the first half but had little to show for it.



While attempting to play a short-passing game, attacking moves would break down either due to the bobble of the ball or Birmingham's typically packed defence.

United's chances came when they opted for a more direct approach as the conditions meant longer balls took haphazard bounces that caught defenders off guard.

Luis Valencia put a fourth-minute cross in that spun into the path of Fletcher, whose shot was deflected wide.

Paul Scholes earned a corner with a similar effort 10 minutes later, while midway through the first half a hopeful high pass into the channel caught out Stephen Carr, Wayne Rooney got in and found Valencia, whose cut-back was blocked behind.

Source: uk.eurosport.com