The Moroccan appeared to be already going to ground when he was challenged by Blues defender Scott Dann.

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Saddlers supporters had feared a repeat of the January transfer window, when young defenders Scott Dann and Daniel Fox were sold to near neighbours Coventry City.

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Wigan soon crafted a chance of their own after the lively Charles N'Zogbia escaped down the left, but from his pull-back Scott Dann flung himself in the way of Rodallega's shot.

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Liverpool looked devoid of ideas and desire, although Birmingham were failing to make their superiority count with Scott Dann seeing a free header bounce over as the Midlands side spurned another chance.

BBC: Birmingham 0-0 Liverpool

Blues boss Alex McLeish has been keen to sign a new centre-back since it became clear earlier this month Scott Dann would be out for the remainder of the campaign with a hamstring problem.

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And Mancini's men seemed short of ideas until they were given the chance to open the scoring from the spot after referee Phil Dowd harshly adjudged Scott Dann to have bundled over Adebayor in the box.

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He produced two superb saves to keep the home side at bay - firstly parrying a powerful 15-yard strike from Campbell and then, later in the half, clawing out a Keiron Richardson curling shot from the edge of the area after the midfielder had been gifted possession by Scott Dann.

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Foster had been left unsighted by Scott Dann's positioning at his post but the goalkeeper was about to prove his worth to Birmingham by keeping them in the game with a series of stunning saves as West Ham produced wave after wave of attack in their bid to find a crucial second goal.

BBC: West Ham 2-1 Birmingham