Nutmegged: Ben Foster lets Carlton Cole's shot through
his legs
A Ben Foster howler gifted West Ham a 2-1 victory
after they had been reduced to 10 men in a bizarre Carling Cup
semi-final first leg at Upton Park on Tuesday
night.
The Birmingham goalkeeper let Carlton Cole's dribbling
shot roll through his legs and into the net 12 minutes from time
when the Hammers were rocking.
Striker Victor Obinna had been sent off for a senseless
kick at Sebastian Larsson as the pair waited for a Matthew Upson
throw-in.
Mark Noble put West Ham ahead in the 13th minute but Liam
Ridgewell equalised for Alex McLeish's side after 56
minutes.
The Birmingham manager said: 'It was definitely a missed
opportunity. The goal was a little bit of a monstrosity, when you
think about it.
'He (Foster) is a big lad. Goalies are always vulnerable.
When they make a mistake it normally results in a
goal.'
Seeing red: Victor Obinna (No33) is sent off by referee
Phil Dowd after lashing out at Seb Larsson
Substitute Cole, 27, said: 'I didn't even strike the ball
properly and I think Ben Foster helped me by carrying it in a bit.
'But every goal counts and we have all worked very hard today. I've
not scored a winner in ages and today's a great day to do
it.'
The win is a boost for under-fire Grant (right), who is
now one game away from a third domestic cup final in less than
three years, having taken Chelsea to the 2008 Carling Cup final
against Tottenham and Portsmouth to the FA Cup final against
Chelsea last May.
He said: 'We (have) had to fight with other things that
aren't on the pitch but I will take it as a challenge.
'You must give respect to the players. Don't worry about
me, I will be fine. We have an advantage but nothing's finished
yet.'