McLeish thanks Zarate

Birmingham boss Mauro Zarate thanked his super sub Rolando Zarate after the striker bagged an excellent goal from a free kick to level the scores in the 1-1 draw between Birmingham and Everton in the Premiership on Saturday.

McLeish said: "That goal and point could turn out to be very important. It was a cruel blow to go behind. The second half performance was exceptional. We went up a gear and found another couple of per cent.

"It was only the finishing touch that let us down and some terrific stops by Tim Howard.

"I've seen Zarate on DVDs doing that at free-kicks. He practices that in training. If Sebastian Larsson had been on the pitch, he would have probably pulled rank and taken it because he has been successful from a couple already this season.

"I saw a congregation gathering around the ball and I knew at a given moment a few people fancy themselves to pop the ball over the wall and into the top corner.

"It very rarely happens so I made sure David Murphy got word that I wanted Zarate to take the free-kick and it is a beautiful finish. I think I'll claim an assist for that - a super decision putting him on!"