27/2/11 the day Arsenal looked to end the wait for silverware was upon them and football fans everywhere had written off Birmingham City before a ball had even been kicked. With Arsenals far greater resources surely a win for the London club was guaranteed.
As kick off approached fans of both sides took their seats in Wembley and began to sing their hearts out for the two teams set to do battle. With major silverware on the line the players knew if they were able to get their hands on the trophy they would become legends remembered by fans for generations to come. Once the line ups were announced the battle for glory began.
Birmingham set up as they had all season under the then boss Alex McLeish looking to be solid at the back and focus on keeping the clean sheet against the attacking storm from the London club. But then suddenly the script of Arsenal walking to an easy win was changed in an instant. A simple set piece flicked on by Roger Johnson ended up going in following the cult hero Zigic heading past the Arsenal keeper. Fans dressed in blue exploded around Wembley with joy as the underdogs took the lead.
However as half time approached Arsenal managed to score an equaliser via Robin Van Persie who expertly steered a volley past Ben Foster. The teams went in level at half time with Birmingham far happier as they had already managed to shock the visitors.
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The second played out as many predicted with Arsenal dominating possession although the blues did offer attacking phases to the match. Nearing the end of the game Birmingham made the move to bring on striker Obafemi Martins as a final attempt to try and prevent the match going to extra time. Little did fans know how vital this substitution would be.
As the clock wound down fans of both clubs began to get nervous as to how the match would end. But suddenly something went wrong for the London giants. Was it the pressure that got to them and caused this error? Maybe we will never know however this error between the goalkeeper and the centre back gifted a strikers dream to Martins feet that dispatched the goal. There was a moment of silence as fans looked on then suddenly a roar of passion erupted from the Birmingham end of Wembley as Martins wheeled off in delight celebrating scoring the winner.
Blues held onto the lead and became the winners of the league cup defying all the odds to win the silverware. A journey that began at home vs Rochdale had ended with men becoming immortal in the history books. The players may of came and gone but they will always be remembered for this day.
If you enjoyed this article and want to see more of my views about Birmingham City and football follow me on twitter @EustaceCarl
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