Restrained performance produces three points.

We normally struggle to find top gear after an international break and yesterday was no different at the Grove. Birmingham offered little in response though so we were able to ease to an important win.

However, the game wasn't void of drama, we failed to keep a clean sheet as usual when Zigic opened the scoring follwing a good cross by Keith Fahey.

Standing at six feet, eight inches, Zigic comfortably beat Djourou in the air and headed the ball back past a sprawling Fabianski to open his account in English football. To the untrained eye there weren't any obvious defensive faults but the goal did highlight our deficiencies in attack as our crossing continues to by pass Chamakh's aerial ability.

Our Moroccan forward still exerted his influence on the match though when he latched on to a Jack Wilshere pass and drew a challenge from Scott Dann. Chamakh went down before any contact was made but there have been worse dives. Samir Nasri continued his penalty scoring run with a confident strike and we were back level before half time.

After the break the same combination gave us the lead. The excellent Wilshere gave Chamakh another opportunity but this time he stayed on his feet, danced past a couple of challenges and beat Ben Foster at his near post. We controlled the rest of the half with Wilshere continuing to control the tempo. Abou Diaby created a great opportunity for himself but hesitated on the edge of the area and managed to pass himself out of the chance. The Frenchman has great potential but, unlike Wilshere, he consistently makes the wrong decisions when in possession.

As good as Wilshere is with the ball, he is as bad when trying to get it back. His lunge on Zigic has nearly happened a few times already this season and although it obviously came from his desperation to make up for a heavy touch, it was a potential leg breaker. From what we've seen so far, he is a quick learner so hopefully he won't follow in Paul Scholes' footsteps and a make a career out of bad tackling.

With Man Utd and Chelsea drawing, we have already moved into second and within five points of the summit despite only taking one point from our previous three games. Hopefully Cesc Fabregas will return in time to compensate for Wilshere's suspension to lead us through our traditionally difficult month of November.

Photo: Action Images

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