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Wednesday, 09 May 2012, 19:45

Championship Play-Offs Semi-Final

FOUR-GOAL BLUES DELIGHT HUGHTON

Post-match reaction to Birmingham's 4-0 victory over Sheffield United.

Last Updated: 28/01/12 at 19:13 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  FA Cup. Click here to bet.

Wade Elliot celebrates his goal

Wade Elliot celebrates his goal

Birmingham City boss Chris Hughton heaped praise on his side after they reached the FA Cup fifth round with a fine 4-0 win at Sheffield United.

Adam Rooney scored twice with Nathan Redmond and Wade Elliott also finding the net against the npower League One side.

United were a threat at times, with Matt Lowton hitting the bar, but Birmingham's clinical finishing proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Hughton said: "It was a real good all-round performance. I'm as delighted with the clean-sheet and the performance as I am with the goals.

"We had to weather a bit early in the game. They were certainly a threat but then we got into our rhythm and the timing of our goals was important.

"We're enjoying playing football and that breeds a certain amount of confidence."

Hughton singled out two-goal striker Rooney and teenager Redmond for special praise.

He said: "Rooney does what he does best. If the ball goes into the box, he'll always be there.

"He appreciates at times that he's got to be patient. I'm really pleased with him.

"It was a great goal from Nathan and I thought overall he used the ball well.

"He's had his highs and his lows. Every opportunity he has is one he's desperate to take. The goal will have provided him with a real lift."

Hughton revealed that West Brom's bid to sign Liam Ridgewell has currently stalled, saying: "There hasn't been any progress on that at all.

"Unless West Brom are prepared to increase their offer, he'll remain a Birmingham player."

Sheffield United manager Danny Wilson said: "The first three goals came at a time when we were possibly in the ascendancy.

"It was great finishing from them. They made the most of their chances.

"We had similar situations and did not make the most of them and they certainly have made the most of them.

"That first goal was very important. It was a bit of quick thinking from their point of view and a bit of slow thinking from ours.

"I thought we were doing very well until that time. We started the game very well and caused them quite a few problems.

"The quality of their play was always going to cause us problems. What they had at the end was the goals to show for it.

"We said at half-time that it was important to get a goal and try and make a game of it.

"It was bit of lucky defending and a bit of luck from the post which denied us a goal.

"I thought our performance was good at times but I'm not complaining about the outcome of the game because I thought they deserved to win it."

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here has only been 3 players who made me hold my breath in dread when they picked the ball up anywhere near our penalty area...in their prime Scholes and Giggs... and always Drogba. Awesome player who on his day was the best striker in the world in my opinion.

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Farewell Big, Brutal, Big-Balled B**tard

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remember him scoring a 25-yarder, either the season just gone or the one before, against Bolton at the Reebok. I've never seen a ball hit that hard before in my entire life. You could almost feel the shockwave from his foot contacting it 40 yards away in the stands. Didier Droga. You might not have loved him, but you just had to be in awe of him.

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den Hazard, def. - 1) that girl in a club who makes eyes at you all night, who allows you to buy her a drink and walk her home arm in arm, who then gives you a suggestive kiss on her doorstep before declaring how tired she is and how she has to be up early the next day. 2) A cock tease.

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