Wenger: 'I'll take a scrappy goal'

Last updated : 02 October 2005 By Chris Parry
He said:

"I'll take a scrappy goal like that if it wins the game. To be honest, I could not see any other kind of goal beating Taylor. He deserves a lot of credit. He was outstanding, and I'm sure Sven is glad he's not playing for Austria or Poland next week."

He was in no doubt regarding Cunningham's red card:

"I didn't want to see a player sent off from the other side - even though I thought the decision was correct. I would have preferred 11 against 11 for the whole 90 minutes. You know more about your side when you win and it is like that."

And on our performance:

"We were not at our best, and Heskey had a chance in the first few minutes - but we were slowly getting more lively by the time Cunningham was sent off. After that it was a case of taking our chances or being patient ... and unfortunately we had to take the second solution.

"But it is always difficult coming back from Europe. We were a bit tired, and it is hard to keep going. Even so, I can understand Birmingham feeling hard done by, conceding a goal like that."