Birmingham at a loss on South Coast
Birmingham City missed out on the chance to move to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship after an astonishing 4-3 defeat by Southampton at St Mary’s last night.
Cardiff City, the long-time leaders, had lost 3-0 away to Stoke City on Tuesday evening and their place at the summit had been taken by Preston North End, who were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Coventry City. It left Birmingham, unbeaten in seven league matches, with an ideal chance to take advantage, but they were 3-0 down inside 19 minutes, to two goals from Kenwyne Jones and one by Rudi Skacel.
Birmingham refused to give up, however, and launched a stirring fightback. Cameron Jerome and Nicklas Bendtner scored within the space of four second-half minutes to set up a nervy finish, but Bradley Wright-Phillips made it 4-2 with 12 minutes left. Birmingham grabbed a goal back through Radhi Jaidi in the final seconds and D. J. Campbell then hit the bar.
In the night’s other Championship match, Derby County beat Ipswich Town 2-1 at Pride Park to stay fourth thanks to goals from Steve Howard and Arturo Lupoli.
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Bungs inquiry
The findings of Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington’s bungs inquiry will be revealed on or soon after December 11 — but only to an FA Premier League panel, which will decide whether disciplinary proceedings can be brought. Only then will the identities of those alleged to have breached transfer rules be made public.
Neill could be sold
John Williams, the Blackburn Rovers chief executive, has confirmed that the club may be forced to sell Lucas Neill when the transfer window opens in January. “It all depends on whether the offer is right and whether Lucas wants to leave,” Williams said. However, Blackburn have not received a bid from Chelsea.
Real conversion
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Real Madrid are in negotiations to sponsor a rugby team with a view to an eventual takeover as part of plans to expand the club brand. CRC Madrid Noroeste play in the same league as FC Barcelona Rugby. Real also aim to have their own 140-seat private jet for team travel by the end of this year.
Germany’s net gain
The German authorities have revealed they made more than £91 million from staging the World Cup and that top-flight clubs will each receive a windfall of more than £1 million. After taxes and a payment of £27 million to Fifa, the German federation and its professional leagues will be left with £38 million.