Phillips laughs off Wenger jibes

Birmingham striker Kevin Phillips has laughed off Arsene Wenger's latest whinge as "par for the course" as Blues plot more St Andrew's heartbreak for the big guns.

Arsenal manager Wenger, whose title-chasing Gunners host Wolves this Saturday, moaned about the state of the St Andrew's pitch after the highly-charged 1-1 draw at the weekend.

Veteran former Albion hitman Phillips scored the last gasp equaliser to preserve Blues' unbeaten home record against the teams above them, apart from Villa.

The 36-year-old also dismissed the Gunners boss' criticism as no more than expected from the Frenchman.

Phillips said: "I know who you're talking about, but that's par for the course, isn't it? They always feel hard done by but you know when you come to St Andrew's you come for a tough battle and tackles have to be made.

"I didn't think it was a dirty game and Howard Webb reffed it well."

Liverpool are next up for Blues on Sunday and Phillips insisted the stuttering Reds will be subjected to the same uncompromising approach as Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City, who have all failed to win at St Andrew's this season.

He said: "I don't think there's any sign of us letting up. I've said all along let's not let the season peter out. Let's turn it into a fantastic season. Our record against the top teams has been excellent. Not one of them has come to St Andrew's and turned us over.

"We need to continue that in the next game. We want to finish the season as strongly as possible."

Liverpool have never beaten Blues in 13 games under Rafael Benitez and St Andrew's boss Alex McLeish wants to use their stubborn streak against the big boys as further motivation for Blues.

The manager said: "It was mentioned in our team talk on Saturday that all the pressure was on Arsenal, they were the team that needed the points to keep their title hopes alive. They are not out of it but the result was a big blow to them.

"It was a massive achievement for us, the fact all the top four teams have come to St Andrew's and haven't won."