01/04/2006  Birmingham 0 Chelsea 0
 
Steve Bruce's side had left the pitch in shame on their last home appearance 11 days ago after they had been annihilated 7-0 by Liverpool in an FA Cup quarter-final.

But this was a vastly improved showing in all departments from City, which give them renewed belief they can survive in the top flight.

Birmingham were the better side in the first half and might have been in front had Emile Heskey not spurned a hat-trick of decent opportunities.

Olivier Tebily caused problems with his runs down the right flank and Nicky Butt anchored the midfield effectively.

Unsurprisingly Chelsea moved up a gear in the second period and Didier Drogba would have been disappointed not to have converted one of several chances which came his way.

But the visitors are limping rather than storming their way to an inevitable second title and Jose Mourinho's prediction the race would be wrapped up by April 9 has proved unfounded.

Birmingham's downfall had been conceding early goals in recent games but they took the game to Mourinho's side from the first whistle and Heskey had two early opportunities to put them ahead.

Tebily made a surging run down the right before finding Damien Johnson. His cross was cut out by Paulo Ferreira but the ball fell to Heskey some eight yards out, but his half-volley flew high over the bar.

Heskey had a more clear-cut chance to open the scoring after seven minutes.

Jermaine Pennant's free-kick found Heskey unmarked just outside the six-yard box but he glanced his header wide when he should have at least hit the target.

Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Cech was then forced to tip over a swerving 30-yard left-footed drive from Tebily after he had cut in from the right flank.

The home side were caught napping as Didier Drogba played a quick free-kick into the path of Arjen Robben who had a clear run at goal but goalkeeper Maik Taylor was alert to the situation and blocked his shot.

Heskey failed to convert the third opportunity which came his way when he brought a cross down but shot over from 12 yards on the turn.

Chelsea had appeals for a penalty rejected when Damien Duff claimed in vain that Mathew Sadler had handled his cross.

Drogba just failed to connect with a dangerous centre from Robben as Chelsea started to enjoy more possession as the game approached half-time.

Duff had a low drive blocked by Butt while Robben fired over the bar but Birmingham left the field to applause in stark contrast to the boos which greeted the humiliation by Liverpool.

Mourinho would have been looking for a marked improvement from his side and home goalkeeper Maik Taylor was called into action in the first minute of the second period to keep out Drogba's volley from Asier del Horno's cross.

Chelsea started to turn the screw and Ricardo Carvalho had the ball in the net from Robben's free-kick -but del Horno was adjudged offside.

Drogba squandered a decent opportunity from another Robben centre but his shot flew into the Tilton End. Duff also had the ball in the home net but the winger and Drogba had strayed offside.

Maik Taylor saved substitute Hernan Crespo's late volley before the Argentinian shot over from 12 yards soon after.

Carvalho headed a Frank Lampard corner wide in injury-time - and Birmingham held on for a point.