Alex McLeish and Birmingham celebrated their return to the Premier League by breaking the club's transfer fee record. The recipient of this fee is a Mexican Primera Division club, Santos Laguna. The player, Ecuadorian international striker Christian Benitez. The fee, £9million surpassing the previous £6.

Not as easy a game as many would have you believe.

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The two protagonists of the last meeting between these clubs Arsenal's Eduardo and Birmingham defender Martin Taylor both miss out through injury.

A report by the Commission on the Future of Women's Sport which the BBC's Gordon Farquhar blogged about earlier this month points out that just 2% of media coverage on elite sport focuses on women. Now I first got into writing about football by following one of my best friend's journeys through the matches, tournaments and politics of women's football in Oxford.

Time to stand up and be counted.

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Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is hopeful Fernando Torres will be fit, and the striker has been in light training as he recovers from a groin injury.

In the 1990s he was famous for doing things like this!

In England, people remember the former Coventry, Sheffield United, Birmingham and Huddersfield striker mainly as a technically gifted forward that on occasion did magical stuff with the ball. Ok, he could go for weeks without doing much, and his scoring records isn't top notch, but people still have fond memories of the Zimbabwean.

I've watched this a few times and I am convinced Lee Bowyer has deliberately kicked Luka Modric's legs with real ferocity and had the Croat rolled around the turf for long enough maybe the referee would have given him a caution, which is the least he deserves. He not only wallops the Tottenham players leg he also continues to exert contact as the players fall to the floor, It looks like a pretty nasty challenge to me.

Celtic's Scott Brown scored the opener for George Burley's Scotland side, still hoping to clinch second spot in their World Cup group. Birmingham City's James McFadden made the game safe with a great solo effort.

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Weeks away from new season!

Here is a breakdown of the first few weeks of the Premier League season as chosen by the ubiquitous Fixture computer!

Saturday, 15 August 2009
Aston Villa v Wigan, 15:00
Blackburn v Man City, 15:00
Bolton v Sunderland, 15:00
Chelsea v Hull, 15:00
Everton v Arsenal, 15:00
Man Utd v Birmingham, 15:00
Portsmouth v Fulham, 15:00
Stoke v Burnley, 15:00
Tottenham v Liverpool, 15:00
Wolverhampton v West Ham, 15:00

Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Arsenal v Bolton, 19:45
Birmingham v Portsmouth, 19:45
Burnley v Man Utd, 19:45
Fulham v Blackburn, 19:45
Hull v Tottenham, 19:45
Sunderland v Chelsea, 19:45
West Ham v Aston Villa, 19:45
Wigan v Wolverhampton, 19:45

Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Liverpool v Stoke, 19:45
Man City v Everton, 19:45

Saturday, 22 August 2009
Arsenal v Portsmouth, 15:00
Birmingham v Stoke, 15:00
Burnley v Everton, 15:00
Fulham v Chelsea, 15:00
Hull v Bolton, 15:00
Liverpool v Aston Villa, 15:00
Man City v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Sunderland v Blackburn, 15:00
West Ham v Tottenham, 15:00
Wigan v Man Utd, 15:00

Happy with your club's openers?

Can Alex McLeish lead the Blues to long term Premier League survival?

Its hard to think of another team who have suffered relegation after relegation, followed by promotion after promotion, but thats what Alex McLeish and Birmingham City have once again gone through. Former Scotland manager McLeish, took over from former manager Steve Bruce in November 2007, who had already steered Birmingham through two promotions, and suffered one relegation, whilst heading for another.

Wayne Rooney puts Man United ahead.

This Will Make Man United Fans Laugh!

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Table toppers take on newly promoted Brum.

Tottenham came through their Carling Cup match with Doncaster without any new injury worries.
But Benoit Assou-Ekotto will undergo a late fitness test on a ankle knock picked up against West Ham last Sunday.

Birmingham's Kevin Phillips (back) and Keith Fahey (bereavement) return to the squad after missing the midweek Carling Cup win over Southampton.

A late late goal from Aaron Lennon gave Spurs their fourth win in four games.

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A late Gabriel Agbonlahor goal was the only thing separating these two sides in the Birmingham derby.

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Very sad individuals indeed.

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has slammed Birmingham's fans for chants which he describes as 'atrocious'.

Blues fans sang 'There is only one Martin Taylor' after Liam Ridgewell had slid in hard on Theo Walcott during Saturday's game at Emirates Stadium.

Rafa Benitez's future hangs in the balance after his side fails to get past Birmingham at home. Alex McLeish may feel hard done by as David Ngog dives to win the penalty that hands Liverpool a point.

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Here we go!

Man Utd have defensive problems despite Wes Brown's recovery from a thigh problem, with Jonny Evans doubtful and Nemanja Vidic and Rafael ruled out.
Ben Foster (knee) or Tomasz Kuszczak will deputise for Edwin van der Sar, while Nani (shoulder) could feature after playing for Portugal in midweek.

Yes there are some familiar faces in this countdown plus a new batch of truly despised individuals!

Emmanuel Adebayor (Man City)

After failing to secure a move to AC Milan and then demanding an obscene wage from Arsene Wenger, Emmanuel's future at Arsenal was called into question as long a go as last summer.

Time to move on?

Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara is a target for Birmingham City.

The Birmingham Mail says Brum could move for the England U21 international after finding the price for Aston Villa's Craig Gardner too rich.

Blues go to Spurs on Saturday for another tough away test after the Manchester United Old Trafford opener.

Carlo Ancelotti made it three wins from three with a comfortable win over Burnley.

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Garry O'Connor scored the only goal of the game as Birmingham City edged out Hull City at the KC Stadium.

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Goals from Steven Fletcher and Andre Bikey helped Owen Coyle's Clarets to a deserved home win over Birmingham City.

Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side continued their fine winning streak with this comfortable victory over Birmingham City

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1-0 Van Persie

2-0 Diaby

2-1 Bowyer

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Alex McLeish's side were in top form as they grabbed a crucial win at home to Sunderland.

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1-0 Ridgewell

2-0 McFadden

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Good move all round?

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Alex McLeish is lining up a move for Tottenham defender Gareth Bale when the transfer window opens in January.
Birmingham manager McLeish will have around £40million at his disposal following Carson Yeung's takeover and, according to the Daily Mirror, will spend £3m on the Spurs left-back.

James McFadden saw his penalty saved by Shay Given but Birmingham City were still good value for this well earned point against Manchester City.

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1st Half Highlights

James McFadden Penalty miss

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Confidence and luck running low at Anfield.

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27 shots to 5. That's the real story of last night's match.

Liverpool Midfield Marvel Gerrard, Arsenal Skipper Fabregas, Tottenham Winger Lennon, Chelsea Striker Drogba, Manchester United goal machine Rooney, West Ham hit man Cole? You decide!

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Flying high in the top half of the Premier League, does Alex McLeish even need to bother Mr. Yeung's money?

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Birmingham could be among the big spenders in January with Carson Yeung the new Birmingham City owner promising between £20 million and £40 million for Alex McLeish to spend.

Alex McLeish strengthens his defence.

Birmingham City's hunt for a left back came to an end this afternoon, with the acquisition of trialist Gregory Vignal, formerly of Liverpool, Rangers, Portsmouth and Southampton. The 28 year old Frenchman joins the club on a 1 year contract from French side, Lens, and becomes Birmingham's 9th signing of the summer behind Stephen Carr, Lee Bowyer, Roger Johnson, Scott Dann, Christian Benitez, Giovanny Espinoza and Barry Ferguson.

With the Premier League about to spark into life this weekend, COS reporter Adam Hennessey casts his eye over the players he feels will have an impact this coming season, but players who readers may not know much about.

Birmingham City are about to embark on yet another Premiership adventure, this time under the stewardship of Alex McLeish, and this little Irish gem amongst their ranks, could have a big part to play, if Birmingham are to survive in the top flight this season.

A 90th minute penalty from James McFadden gave Alex McLeish's side all three points against Pompey.

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Only a great performance from Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen kept Alex McLeish's men from picking up three points.

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Live Blogging Saturday Liverpool v Hull & Fulham v Arsenal & Around the Grounds

A goal from Israeli Tamir Cohen was enough for Gary Megson's Bolton against Birmingham.

0-1 Cohen

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So first off many apologies vis-a-vis the lack of match preview. I was in Dallas for a rugby tournament all weekend (my team is going to nationals!) and I had so much homework Thursday I couldn't do it (I got an hour and a half of sleep on Thursday). Also I'm aware this is a wee bit late, but I only got home about an hour ago.

A Lee Bowyer strike gave Birmingham all three points in this cagey encounter.

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Birmingham City v Fulham
by prajiicman

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Birmingham City battled back superbly from a goal down to beat Wigan at the DW Stadium.

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Birmingham City continue their fine recent form with a hard fought win over West Ham with Lee Bowyer scoring against his former club.

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Alex McLeish continues to work wonders with his Birmingham City side clinching an incredible fifth straight win lifting the club into the top six.

A brace from Birmingham City striker Cameron Jerome gave the midlands side a two goal cushion before Ryan Nelsen pulled a goal back for the visitors.

Liverpool Midfield Marvel Gerrard, Arsenal Skipper Fabregas, Tottenham Winger Lennon, Chelsea Striker Drogba, Manchester United goal machine Rooney, West Ham hit man Cole? You decide!

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