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Blake scores late as Bolton draws with Birmingham
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By The Associated Press
August 30, 2010
BOLTON, England — Substitute Robbie Blake scored a late equalizer with an impressive free kick as 10-man Bolton recovered from going two goals down to draw 2-2 with Birmingham City on Sunday.
Central defender Roger Johnson put Birmingham in front after four minutes and was then involved in the incident that led to the sending-off of Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen in the 37th.
Craig Gardner added a second for Birmingham in the 50th minute but Bolton bounced back, with Kevin Davies’ penalty reducing the deficit and Blake’s curling free kick 10 minutes from time sealing the comeback.
“I think anybody at that game would have struggled to recognise it was 11 against 10 as we were the team pushing on,” Bolton manager Owen Coyle said. “We were certainly deserving of a point, minimum.”
The draw ensured that both teams stayed unbeaten in the Premier League on five points from three games.
Johnson was the center of attention in a first half that burst into life when he opened the scoring. Lee Bowyer’s cut-back was flicked on by Cameron Jerome and Johnson slid home a finish for his first goal for Birmingham.
James McFadden almost made it 2-0 when his volley was well-saved by Jaaskelainen as Bolton struggled to create any clear-cut chances at the other end.
That was the Finland international’s last meaningful contribution before he was shown a straight red card eight minutes before half time for appearing to slap Johnson’s face, who had knocked Jaaskelainen over as he challenged for the ball.
“Jussi (Jaaskelainen) has made a mistake, he knows that,” Coyle said. “He is bitterly disappointed he has been sent off but it was a red card, there is no debate about that.”
Birmingham looked dangerous on the counter-attack early in the second half and added a second goal five minutes after the break, Gardner tapping in from close range after Jerome had nodded across goal a pass from McFadden.
Bolton fought back and after Johan Elmander had a hooked shot saved by Ben Foster, Davies reduced the lead with the 100th Premier League goal of his career.
Johnson was harshly adjudged to have climbed on Davies when going up for a speculative ball into the area, and the former Southampton and Blackburn striker picked himself up to coolly stroke his penalty into the top corner in the 71st.
Birmingham lost Sweden winger Sebastian Larsson to a leg injury in the 73rd and conceded the equalizer eight minutes later when Blake curled in a superb free kick from 25 yards for his first Bolton goal.
Jerome had a chance to win the game for Birmingham in stoppage time but his left-foot shot was saved by substitute goalkeeper Adam Bogdan.
“It feels like a defeat but in the grand scheme of things we believe it could be a good point,” Birmingham manager Alex McLeish said. “We are quite sore about it and the manner in which we lost the goals.”
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