Arsenal's title bid damaged by smart Alex

A knowing smile on McLeish's lips suggested there was more to it but 'Big Eck' is not daft enough to betray the confidence of the Manchester United manager after just six weeks in English football.

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"I know it will affect the League in one way or another and I'm sure Sir Alex will be delighted. But I'm in it for Birmingham. We've done ourselves a big favour," said McLeish after his team's positive reaction to their shock defeat at Huddersfield in the FA Cup.

"Our work-rate against Arsenal was like night and day compared with our Cup defeat at Huddersfield. It's human nature. The wide man thinks "the full back can get that one today" because it's only Huddersfield, when he himself would go and get it against Arsenal or United. When you get a bit lazy, results like that can happen."

Arsene Wenger was left to bemoan the same problems of complacency within his own team. "We were caught in a feeling during the game that it will be easy and that's a good lesson for us," he said.

Arsenal were in total control when Emmanuel Adebayor gave them the lead from a disputed penalty. But Birmingham hauled themselves back into the game when Garry O'Connor headed the equaliser in the 48th minute.

Wenger said: "Coming out of the dressing room we lost a goal we should not have lost. Straight away we concede a corner, and on the corner we were not sharp, not focused enough.

"I take full responsibility. The crowd was good and we were bad, I include myself in that. That is the poorest game we have played this season. We tried but we lacked sharpness, creativity, incisiveness."

There were early signs against Birmingham that Kolo Toure's absence, on African Nations Cup duty with the Ivory Coast, may seriously hinder his bid to win their first title in four years.

Toure's power, mobility and sixth sense for danger regularly rescue Arsenal and his presence in the back four offers the rest of the team a freedom to flood forward.

Another defensive concern for Wenger is the future of his favoured midfield enforcer Mathieu Flamini, who is out of contract at the end of the season and free to talk to foreign clubs. The manager's response to the subject was prickly but he insisted Flamini will stay.

Wenger's continental kids had been stung by the Scots — a tactical plan masterminded by McLeish, a motivational touch from Fergie, and a goal from O'Connor.

But no one typified the Birmingham spirit more than skipper Damien Johnson, who battled in midfield wearing a mask over a depressed fracture of a cheekbone.

"He's my type of player," said McLeish, himself a battle-scarred former centre half. "I like players who show that kind of bravery. I've played with many players over the years who wouldn't have contemplated that but Damien was a great leader today.

"He has the heart and that kind of character where he's ready to put his body on the line. I saw him making wholehearted headers."

Johnson stuck his head in the way of a shot from Gael Clichy as Arsenal pressed for a winner. "Fortunately it hit me on top of my head and the cheekbone was all right," he said.

"It's not like I'm some sort of hero. The consultant said it was fine to play, simple as that."