Benitez Is Calm as Blues Hold Out

NEWCASTLE United’s titlebid stuttered once moreas under-pressure Gianfranco Zola frustrated his pal Rafa Benitez.

- Graham Hill

A towering display by Blues keeper Tomasz Kuszczak was all that stood in the way of a Newcastle victory.

But this was a performance that will give Zola some hope that he can still turn things around at St Andrew’s – despite a record of just two wins in 19 games since taking over.

It will be worrying times for Benitez, though, who has seen his side take only two points from the last three games.

This was a match that the Spaniard would have expected to win with Birmingham on the ropes and nervously eyeing the relegation zone.

Benitez had his share of selection problems though with key defender Ciaran Clark out injured and key men Dwight Gayle and Jonjo Shelvey – who was recovering from illness – coming off the bench.