Arsenal Target Scott Dann

Arsenal are lining up a £6million move for Birmingham City defender Scott Dann after talks over a £13million deal for Everton’s Phil Jagielka have stalled. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger refuses to budge on price for the Goodison Park centre-back and will look at other options. He has identified Dann as his next priority but will face competition from Liverpool for his signature. The 24-year-old has only one-year left on his contract and cash-strapped Birmingham are willing to listen to offers for any of their stars. Dann has impressed during his time in the Premier League and was absent for much of the Blues relegation season last year. Wenger had hoped to have had a deal for a centre-back agreed along time ago but has been put off by astronomical valuations. Arsenal had a bid accepted for Blackburn’s Phil Jones, but the teenage decided on a move to Manchester United. Jones’ former team-mate Christopher Samba and Bolton’s Gary Cahill are both targets but the £15million and £17million price tags were deemed too high by Wenger. The Frenchman has had two bids of £10million and £13million rejected by Everton for Jagielka, who value the 28-year-old at closer to £20million.

WEST BROM IN FOR BEN FOSTER

West Brom are aiming to take advantage of Birmingham’s desperate financial situation by swooping for goalkeeper Ben Foster in a £1million loan deal. Birmingham are offloading their big earners following relegation and cannot afford Ben Foster’s £1.5m-a-year wages. West Brom manager Roy Hodgson said: “If we can get him on loan or on a permanent deal, that would be something we would be very happy about.” Birmingham also want to sell Scott Dann, Cameron Jerome and Nikola Zigic for about £20m as the cost-cutting bites. New Blues boss Chris Hughton is trying to sign striker Billy Sharp from Doncaster Rovers.

Sunderland sign Craig Gardner

Sunderland have completed the transfer of Birmingham midfielder Craig Gardner for an undisclosed fee. The 24-year-old has signed a three-year deal after heading for Wearside to hold talks. His arrival caps a good two days for the Black Cats, who earlier pushed through their move for South Korea striker Ji Dong-won after landing Connor Wickham on Wednesday.Gardner, who is understood to have cost his new club in the region of £4.5million rising to £6million, was City's top scorer last season and will be handed the task of providing goals from the middle of the park, where he is likely to take over from Jordan Henderson following his big-money switch to Liverpool.The Solihull-born player is a boyhood Birmingham fan despite beginning his senior career with derby rivals Aston Villa, and helped the Blues to a famous Carling Cup final victory over Arsenal last season.However, the club's relegation from the Barclays Premier League made his departure almost inevitable, and the Black Cats were quick to make their interest known and then persuade Gardner that his future lay at the Stadium of Light.
Gardner told SAFC TV: 'It's unbelievable, to be honest. As soon as I found out Sunderland were interested, it was a no-brainer.
'Obviously, I have heard so much about Steve Bruce and his backroom staff and how good a chairman Niall Quinn is.
'It's such a massive club and their ambitions for this season meet my ambitions, and it was too good to turn down.'
The midfielder, who scored 10 goals in the last campaign, is confident he can bring the same potency to Wearside, where he is setting his sights high after hearing Bruce's recruitment plans, which have already landed him five new signings.
He said: 'It means that the club wants to go places. Obviously, we want to finish as high up the table as we can - we want to be in Europe next year and it's a great task to go and chase.
'It's a good goal for us and we can go and do it, and I am sure we will.'

Hughton lands Birmingham job

Chris Hughton has been appointed as Birmingham's new manager, just 10 days after Alex McLeish resigned to take charge of Aston Villa.The former Newcastle boss edged ahead of Roberto Di Matteo in the battle to take charge of the Carling Cup holders.A statement on the club's official website confirmed that Hughton will take charge of the Blues immediately and they will be hoping he can repeat his achievement at Newcastle in steering them to promotion from the Championship.Hughton has been out of football since parting company with the Magpies after a 3-1 defeat at West Brom in early December. But he has impressed Birmingham acting chairman Peter Pannu when being interviewed during the past few days. Di Matteo, sacked as West Brom head coach in February, was the other major candidate.City's Hong-King based owner, Carson Yeung, ratified Hughton's arrival at St Andrew's. It will be Yeung's first managerial appointment since taking control of Blues during the early part of the 2009-2010 campaign. Yeung is looking for Blues to regain their Premier League status at the first attempt. This was made clear to McLeish in a statement issued at the end of the season after defeat at Tottenham doomed them to relegation.Hughton spent 13 years as a player at Tottenham and then had spells as coach and assistant-manager at White Hart Lane between 1993 and 2007.

The Republic of Ireland international was appointed first team coach at Newcastle in 2008 and was appointed manager in October 2009. But, despite guiding them to promotion, Hughton was sacked 14 months later.

One of his first tasks will be to try and persuade the likes of Ben Foster, Roger Johnson, Scott Dann and Craig Gardner to stay.

Hughton to be Next Birmingham Manager?

Chris Hughton has met with Birmingham to discuss their managerial vacancy following last weekend's departure of Alex McLeish. McLeish parted company with the St Andrew's outfit to take charge of bitter local rivals Aston Villa after securing the Carling Cup but suffering relegation in the same season.
Hughton could be installed in the coming days. The former Newcastle manager has been out of work after being axed by the Magpies back in December despite guiding them back into the Premier League from the Championship at the first time of asking. The respected coach's efforts in the North-East have brought him to the attention of the Birmingham board as they seek an immediate return to the top-flight.

Former West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has also put his name forward for the job but it looks as though Hughton is in pole position for the post

McLeish completes controversial move to Aston Villa

Aston Villa have confirmed the controversial appointment of Alex McLeish, the former Birmingham City manager, as their new manager.McLeish makes the move across the city just five days after resigning from his post at St Andrew's.Villa have pressed ahead with the appointment of the 52-year-old despite a backlash from supporters and a row with Blues.McLeish told the club's website, www.avfc.co.uk: "I am honoured to have this opportunity to manage a club with such a fantastic history as Aston Villa's."The heritage, the history of success and the tradition of Aston Villa are compelling and irresistible. The challenge for me is to try to add my own chapter."Since first becoming a manager at Motherwell, my desire to succeed and my energy and drive have never waned."My objective is to impart that drive and will to win to the players and fans of Aston Villa.
"I know that some of our fans have voiced concerns and I can understand why."It will be up to me to convince you that I am the right man to drive the club forward and I intend to give absolutely everything to prove that I can be a success at the club."
Villa have not yet confirmed the length of McLeish's contract but have said the Scot will commence duties immediately, underlining their confidence there are no lingering issues concerning Birmingham.

Blues were angered when it became apparent McLeish was a contender for the Villa vacancy and accused their rivals of tapping up the former Glasgow Rangers and Scotland manager.

They also demanded £5.4m in compensation to cover the remaining two years of his contract but threats to report Villa to the Premier League or take out an injunction to block the move were not carried out.

Sunderland Bid £5m for Craig Gardner

Sunderland have made a £5million bid for Birmingham midfielder Craig Gardner.
Former Blues boss Steve Bruce moved to try to take advantage of the uncertainty at St Andrew's by making a bid for the midfield talisman just 24 hours after the resignation of Alex McLeish.
Gardner, 24 and a Birmingham fan, was the club's star performer during their rollercoaster season. He was top scorer with 10 in all competitions, and his last-day goal at Tottenham came within minutes of saving his club from relegation.Bruce, with money to spend after agreeing Jordan Henderson's £16m switch to Liverpool, will offer him the chance to stay in the Barclays Premier League. Newcastle are also keen on Gardner, who cost £3m when McLeish signed him from Aston Villa 18 months ago.

Bruce has already tried to move ahead of his North East rival Alan Pardew in the battle for former Birmingham winger Seb Larsson

McLeish quits by email but furious Blues warn boss not to talk to arch rivals Villa

Alex McLeish is heading for a legal battle with Birmingham City after they refused to accept his shock resignation and warned him not to talk to any other clubs. The Scot walked out on Sunday and was immediately linked with a controversial move across the city to Aston Villa. Villa, looking to replace Gerard Houllier, are huge admirers of McLeish, 52, and are understood to be considering him now he appears available. McLeish's decision to quit by email - with two years left on his contract - has stunned Birmingham and left acting chairman Peter Pannu furious
'I will be meeting my legal team tomorrow (Monday),' said Pannu, who was in Amsterdam tying up his club's fourth signing of the summer when McLeish's notice dropped into his in-box. 'Rest assured I will leave no stone unturned. It's about time some discipline is instilled into this game - and I am not a person who gets pushed about. 'We spent £40million, supported him all the way, and what we get is a relegation and a snub when the owner gave him unwavering support and did not sack him, and declared his job secure and professed trust and confidence in him. 'We just bought him three players of his choice and I've been in Amsterdam securing him a fourth. Then I get an email while I'm on business and that speaks volumes.'

Pannu insists Villa have made no official approach and McLeish, who has been on holiday, will not be allowed to talk to anyonePannu added: 'I won't blame any outside clubs yet until I find out more. He is still our contracted staff and Birmingham City does not grant him any right to speak to any outsiders until the matter is resolved.' McLeish, who led Birmingham to Carling Cup triumph - their first silverware for 48 years - against Arsenal last season, has been at loggerheads with Pannu and owner Carson Yeung over the last few months. However, Yeung has sanctioned the recent signings of disgraced striker Marlon King plus winger Chris Burke, Morgaro Gomis and Dutch striker Danny Koevermans. McLeish is also taking a risk with Villa but owner Randy Lerner is a fan and admires the job that the Scot has done at the Second City's other club. He fits the bill in that he has a proven Premier League pedigree.

Ironically, Villa had already been linked with Birmingham pair goalkeeper Ben Foster and defender Roger Johnson

Alex McLeish quits Birmingham

Alex McLeish has emerged as favourite to take charge of Aston Villa after quitting Birmingham City, according to reports.McLeish has decided to leave the Championship club after they were relegated on the final day of the Premier League season. The news brings to and end a four-year reign for McLeish after he took charge at St Andrew's in 2007 after quitting Scotland. He guided Blues to a Carling Cup win over Arsenal, which got them into the Europa League next season, but they could not beat the drop.

McLeish is now ready to cross the city to take charge of their arch-rivals Villa.

Villa have been looking for a replacement for Gerard Houllier, who left the club earlier this month, and they are now believed to have turned to a man under their noses after Mark Hughes, Steve McClaren, Rafa Benitez and Roberto Martinez were all ruled out.

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Marlon King set for Medical At Birmingham

Coventry City's hopes of keeping striker appear to be over. Marlon King has returned from his family holiday in Dubai ind is likely to be going straight to St Andrews for a medical prior to signing a three year deal with Birmingham City.Coventry City released a statement last Thursday saying that King had verbally agreed to stay at the club that gave him the chance to resurrect his football career following his release from prison nearly a year ago and that he would sign a two year deal on his return from holiday.King's agent later denied the claims, made by City manager Andy Thorn who said King had phoned him to tell him he was staying at Coventry and club chairman Ken Dulieu, who confirmed Thorn's version of events.The 31 year old striker now looks increasingly likely to agree terms, thought to be a three year deal worth around £15,000 a week, at newly relegated Birmingham City.

The news, if it proves to be true, will come as a huge disappointment to the fans who have taken King to their hearts and who have supported the troubled striker in his first season since his prison term for sexual assault. Andy Thorn and Ken Dulieu will also be disappointed at losing King after putting in huge amounts of work at attempting to persuade King to remain a Sky Blue.

Coventry City fans, already dissatisfied with the whole King saga will inevitably feel betrayed by King and his agent Tony Finnigan as they not only gave him their wholehearted support, they voted him their Player of the Year as well. His loss will mean that Thorn will be left with the huge problem of finding a striker that can score as many goals as regularly as King did last season.

However, it is understood that Thorn has done the ground work to find a replacement striker should King leave The Ricoh and he has also replacements lined up for Westwood and Gunnarsson should they both decide their futures lie elsewhere.

ASTON VILLA CLOSE IN ON DEAL FOR BEN FOSTER

BEN FOSTER is set to join Aston Villa as a replacement for Brad Friedel.
Even though Aston Villa have yet to appoint a new manager to replace Gerard Houllier, they have targeted Birmingham goalkeeper Foster to succeed Friedel, who quit Villa Park yesterday to join Tottenham.
But Foster, 28, is wanted not only by Villa. Several other Premier League clubs are showing an interest in Foster, who joined Birmingham from Manchester United a year ago for £6million.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is thought to be considering a move and others are awaiting confirmation at what price he will be available, including Stoke, where he once had a successful loan spell.
England coach Fabio Capello, meanwhile, is still desperately hoping Foster will reverse his decision to call a temporary halt on his international career. Foster left England virtually threadbare in that department after announcing he wanted at least this summer off to try to shake off a string of niggling injuries.Capello would have liked Foster in the squad for today’s European Championship qualifier against Switzerland at Wembley, but instead had to select West Ham’s Rob Green and West Brom’s Scott Carson as back-up for first-choice Joe Hart.
The current winner in the battle for Foster’s attentions appears to be his partner Kate Louise Smith. Instead of being at Wembley, Foster is expected to be spending today finalising preparations for his marriage in a fortnight.
Although Birmingham manager Alex McLeish would like to keep Foster at St Andrew’s, relegation from the Premier League means several of the club’s leading players could leave this summer, with Foster expected to be valued at about £8m.

Birmingham Duo Targeted by Spurs and Arsenal

Birmingham City's relegation looks set to spark a feeding frenzy among Premier League clubs keen to hand-pick their top players, with defenders Scott Dann and Roger Johnson set to be top of both Arsenal and Spurs' wanted lists.The pair became the cornerstones of Birmingham's impressive campaign in the 2009/10 season at the heart of Alex McLeish's defence - attracting interest last summer.The club managed to stave off numerous bids to keep them, but injuries to both players - including a serious knock that kept Dann out for the majority of the 2010/11 campaign - hindered Birmingham's form.Despite winning the Carling Cup against the odds, Blues were relegated on the final day - and with both players unlikely to sign new deals now the club are back in the second tier, there is just one year until they would be free to leave on free transfers.
While owner Carson Yeung has decided to stand by his manager, it seems several players will be for sale - but at the right price.Despite ruling out any players leaving the club on the cheap, Birmingham chairman Peter Pannu admitted: 'If someone offers £3million for one of our top players, they will be told "forget it", but if someone offers £10m, £15m, then we are more likely to think about it.'But nothing is cast in stone - it is too early really to talk about this sort of thing. 'I will be meeting [Carson] to discuss what we must do for next season.'
Both the north London rivals are in need of reinforcements at the back, and according to recent reports scouts have been reporting back to both clubs on the availability of Dann and Johnson.
However, the recommendations are that they work best in a partnership - and therefore both Spurs and Arsenal are said to be keen on offering a cash bid to tempt Birmingham into selling the players as a package.
Arsene Wenger has already admitted this summer will be his busiest in terms of transfers for 'many years'.

CARLING CUP FINAL Birmingham 2 Arsenal 1

Obafemi Martins pounced on a calamitous Arsenal defensive mix-up two minutes from time as Birmingham City claimed their first major silverware since 1963 by winning the Carling Cup at Wembley.
Martins, on loan from Rubin Kazan, took advantage of a fatal communication breakdown between Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and defender Laurent Koscielny to strike the late blow that clinched victory for Blues boss Alex McLeish and his men, sending their supporters into ecstasy.The striker, on as substitute for Keith Fahey, had the simplest of chances after Koscielny attempted to clear when Szczesny came to collect Nikola Zigic's tame header to extend the north Londoners' six-year wait for a trophy.
Zigic gave Birmingham a first-half lead but Robin van Persie's spectacular volley restored parity before the interval in an enthralling Wembley final.

In contrast to the crestfallen figure of Szczesny, Birmingham were indebted to their keeper Ben Foster - penalty shoot-out hero of Manchester United's win in this competition in 2009 - for a magnificent display that rightly earned him the man-of-the match award.Foster was outstanding throughout, denying Samir Nasri on three occasions and also saving splendidly from Andrey Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner.Birmingham, who also hit the woodwork through Fahey, were a model of determination and resilience as well as positive intent and their success is a tribute to the outstanding work of manager McLeish.

Defender Roger Johnson was another commanding figure and all the bravery displayed by him and his team-mates in the face of a late Arsenal onslaught was rewarded in sensational circumstances in the dying moments.
Arsenal, robbed of captain Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott through injury, never hit the heights and that moment of defensive madness means Wenger has still not laid his hands on a trophy since winning the FA Cup against Manchester United in 2005.
There was a moment of contention almost instantly when Lee Bowyer raced clear into the area and was hauled down by Szczesny for what would have been a penalty and, in all probability, a red card for the keeper.
The Gunners were relieved as the linesman's flag had already been raised - but their opponents were frustrated by the fact that the decision was incorrect.
Arsenal nearly increased Birmingham's sense of injustice when Arshavin forced Foster into a fine save on the turn as the favourites attempted to exert early authority.
Zigic's selection owed much to his obvious aerial threat to Arsenal and McLeish's decision was vindicated as the giant striker headed Birmingham into the lead after 28 minutes.He was able to evade the attentions of a cluster of Arsenal defenders and Szczesny in the six-yard box to head home after Johnson's power in the air caused problems at a corner.And the striker should have doubled his and Birmingham's tally as the north Londoners creaked under pressure but his control let him down at the vital moment, allowing Szczesny to block after good work by Craig Gardner.

Blues were showing discipline and enterprise in equal measure, but Arsenal produced a moment of genuine class to draw level six minutes before half-time.
Jack Wilshere rattled Foster's woodwork from the edge of the area and when Birmingham failed to clear Arshavin crossed for an airborne Van Persie to volley brilliantly beyond the reach of the keeper.
Foster was tested once more as the interval approached, blocking a swerving drive from Nasri as an thrilling first 45 minutes drew to a close.
As the Gunners gathered momentum, Tomas Rosicky was within inches of giving them the perfect start after the break but his crisp, low shot was narrowly off target.
Birmingham suffered a blow early in the second half when the influential Gardner went off injured and was replaced by Jean Beausejour - but McLeish's side brushed off the setback to almost regain the lead.
Fahey's shot carried too much power and direction for Szczesny but, as the massed ranks of Birmingham fans rose to acclaim the strike it bounced off the inside of the post and across the face of goal.

Wenger made a change midway through the half, sending on Bendtner for Van Persie, who took a heavy knock in the act of scoring Arsenal's equaliser.
Foster came to Birmingham's rescue twice in the space of seconds as time ticked away, blocking Nasri's powerful drive before clutching Bendtner's effort at the second attempt.
Arsenal had assumed command and Foster once again demonstrated his agility and quality with a diving save from Nasri as their personal duel continued.
And then, with an extra 30 minutes beckoning came that meltdown between Szczesny and Koscielny - leaving Martins to pounce and win the Carling Cup for Birmingham.

Birmingham 1 - 0 Stoke

An injury-time goal from Nikola Zigic ensured a poor Stoke performance came to nought as Birmingham claimed back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time in 14 months.
Zigic nodded in a Cameron Jerome cross after Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic had spilled David Bentley's low shot.
Jermaine Pennant went close from a free-kick, but Stoke were lucky not to concede a second-half penalty.
Robert Huth handled a Bentley shot, but the offence went unnoticed.
On an afternoon when entertainment was at a premium, it was clear from the outset that anyone hoping for a repeat of last weekend's Premier League goal glut would have to look beyond St Andrew's.
Statistics and truth can be uneasy bedfellows when it comes to football, but one fact could not be ignored: neither side has a player with more than seven goals to his name.
Zigic's third league goal in as many games brought him level on that number with Birmingham's joint-top scorer, midfielder Craig Gardner, while Stoke's most prolific marksman is Robert Huth, a defender. It was never a likely recipe for a feast of entertaining football, and so it proved.
Yet that will not worry Alex McLeish a jot. The Birmingham manager had called on his players to capitalise on the feelgood factor surrounding the club just now - this result extended the club's unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions, while there is also the small matter of the club's forthcoming Carling Cup final appearance to look forward to - and, albeit belatedly, they responded.
It could have been different for Stoke, who weathered a good start by the hosts to create the lion's share of what few first-half chances came along.
But they, like Birmingham, have not been in the habit of picking up consecutive league wins - they last did so in mid-November - and it was Boxing Day when they last won away from the Potteries.
The initial signs that they might add to their modest tally of three away wins were not good, not least because Sebastian Larsson appeared intent on stamping the hosts' authority on proceedings.
With three minutes gone, the Sweden international swung in a cross from deep for Zigic, only for the big Serb to head over under pressure from Huth. He later narrowly failed to set up Roger Johnson from a free-kick, Begovic just about holding the defender's header.
Yet by the time Gardner stole the ball from Dean Whitehead in the centre circle with the half hour approaching, setting off on a run which culminated with a testing long-range shot - with debutant Obafemi Martins lurking, Begovic gathered at the second time of asking - Stoke looked the more credible contenders to break the deadlock.
As Larsson was the creative fulcrum for Birmingham, so the bustling Pennant provided the ammunition for the visitors.
In Kenwyne Jones and John Carew, the big Norway international on loan from Aston Villa, Pennant enjoyed the benefit of a pair of almost unmissable targets, and the former Liverpool man's cultured delivery from the right flank frequently made life uncomfortable for Ben Foster in the Birmingham goal.
But while the two strapping front men battered Foster, they could not better him.
In the absence of tangible reward for his efforts, Pennant almost took matters into his own hands, curling a low free-kick inches wide of Foster's left-hand upright.
However, first-half breakthroughs have not exactly been Stoke's forte of late - they remain the only team in England not to have scored in the opening 15 minutes of a match this season - and when Bentley curled an effort just shy of the post with half-time nearing, there was a suggestion of better things to come for the home side.
Sure enough, they began the second half exuding the same aura of intent with which they had started the first, and might have opened the scoring through Larsson, who gathered a sweeping crossfield ball from the back, picking his way through the Stoke defence before sending an angled effort wide.
The visitors were fortunate to survive a credible penalty claim when Huth blocked a Bentley effort with a raised arm. The German turned away, clutching his face, and referee Mark Halsey - who would surely have pointed to the spot had he enjoyed the benefit of a replay - waved play on.
A heated post-match inquest looked inevitable, but then came the match-winning contribution of Zigic, whose reputation for inconsistency will soon be in need of revision if he continues to plunder points like this.

Obafemi Martins completes Birmingham move

Birmingham have signed striker Obafemi Martins from Russian club Rubin Kazan on a six-month loan deal.
The 26-year-old received a work permit and passed a medical on Monday to complete the formalities of the deal.
"He's an explosive type of player and is similar to Christian Benitez but with more experience," said Blues manager Alex McLeish.
"He has great pace, is two-footed, very good in the air and I'm sure he's a signing that will excite the fans."
Martins joins midfielder David Bentley and defender Curtis Davies as a new arrival at the Blues in January.
"I am certain these new additions will augment and supplement what we already have," Birmingham acting chairman Peter Pannu told the club's website.
"They will create some competition within the team for places, which benefits the whole squad."
Rubin coach Kurban Berdiyev said: "His child was born and he asked to let him go to England, because Obafemi wants to be closer to his family."
Nigeria international Martins, who has also played for Italian side Inter Milan, spent three years with Newcastle United.
He scored 39 goals in 105 games for the Magpies before leaving for German outfit Wolfsburg.

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Villa and Blues in swap deal

Local rivals Aston Villa and Birmingham are in talks about a possible swap deal involving Villa central defender Curtis Davies and Blues winger Sebastian Larsson, Press Association Sport understands.

The Blues had already set their sights on signing Davies in a straight £3.5million deal and the player has already held talks. But Villa boss Gerard Houllier has revived his earlier interest in Larsson, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

If a deal could be agreed, Birmignham would consider offering Larsson plus £1.5million for Davies' services.

The Blues want to strengthen their back four with Scott Dann out for the remainder of the campaign with a hamstring problem.

Davies had looked set to rejoin Leicester on loan for a second spell before Birmingham made their interest known.

Houllier has already spent £24million during the January transfer window on Darren Bent and Jean Makoun from Sunderland and Lyon respectively.

But the possibility of signing Larsson in exchange for Davies has rekindled his interest in a further signing.

The big sticking point could be whether Larsson is prepared to sacrifice an appearance at Wembley in the Carling Cup final against Arsenal on February 27.

He will be a free agent in the summer when, if they were still interested, Villa could sign him for nothing.

Davies would welcome the move after slipping down the pecking order at Villa.

He could follow current Birmingham players Craig Gardner and Liam Ridgewell in switching from Villa to St Andrew's.

West Ham 2 - 1 Birmingham

West Ham striker Carlton Cole stepped off the bench to earn the 10-man Hammers a potentially crucial first-leg advantage in their Carling Cup semi-final against Birmingham at Upton Park.
After the hosts had been pegged back to 1-1 and seen Victor Obinna sent off for a crazy kick out at Sebastian Larsson, Cole bagged the winner with only 10 minutes left - and it was a personal nightmare for Blues keeper Ben Foster, who let the striker's soft shot roll under his hand and trickle over the line.
That West Ham won and did so despite playing for over half an hour with less men might just keep manager Avram Grant in a job, despite reports that the Israeli is about to be sacked by the Premier League's bottom club.
Grant will be desperate to finish the job of getting West Ham to their first Wembley cup final in 30 years when they meet Birmingham in the second leg at St Andrews on 26 January; though arguably of more pressing concern is whether he will still be at the helm for Saturday's league encounter with Arsenal.