Blues 2 Nurnberg 1

Blues striker Garry O’Connor struck after just 11 seconds as Blues completed their Austrian tour with a 2-1 win over Nurnberg.

James McFadden fired the winner as Alex McLeish’s troops made it three wins out of three on the trip.

Former Everton striker McFadden was the provider for the opening goal. He burst past his marker and sent over an inviting cross that O’Connor headed home.

The lead lasted until the quarter hour mark, when poor defending allowed Nurnberg to draw level.

A throw-in was not properly cleared and Peter Perchtold fired a shot from 10 yards that flew past Maik Taylor and into the top corner.

The Blues were pegged back for less than 60 seconds, when McFadden fired them back in front.

Seb Larsson, in his first pre-season game since returning from muscle soreness, sent in a cross that was spilled by the keeper. McFadden rifled a shot into the net on the turn.

The Blues continued to have the better of the game, played in torrential rain, and Martin Taylor twice hit the post with headers.

Early in the second half, Lee Carsley came close to getting on the scoresheet but his effort was well saved.

Colin Doyle, on at half-time for Maik Taylor, twice had to be alert to deny Greek international striker Angelos Charisteas.

The second half contained a less action but the travelling fans did at least get to see new boy Marcus Bent for the last half hour.

Blues: Taylor (Doyle 46), Parnaby, Taylor (Kelly 46), Ridgewell (Jaidi 46), Murphy (Wilson 83), Larsson (Mutch 46), Nafti (Phillips 46), McSheffrey (Zola 70), Carsley, McFadden (Bent 62), O’Connor (Jerome 46).