Alex McLeish

Alex McLeish felt his team deserved  major credit for the way they battled their way to a 2-2 draw at Anfield on Monday evening.

The home side took the lead in the 13th minute throuugh a spectacular David Ngog strike, before Blues levelled the proceedings when Christian Benitez headed home after 26 minutes.

A superb 30 yard effort from Chucho's strike partner Cameron Jerome gave Blues the lead, before a controversial penalty was awarded to the Reds by Referee Peter Walton in the 71st minute after Ngog went down in the box despite no contact being made by marker Lee Carsley.

Steven Gerrard subsequently converted the spot kick to give his side a share of the spoils.

"I felt we were comfortable, but apart from when Gerrard made a late run to hit the post, I felt my defenders and the whole team were awesome," said McLeish.

"We scored two fine goals, a good set-piece for Benitez to get his first goal for us and then Jerome's cracker. It was a goal from the second it left his foot.

"The players deserve a lot of credit for the way they fought for everything."

The Blues players surround David Ngog after Liverpool were awarded a dubious penalty

Turning to the disputed spot kick, McLeish added: "There is no real debate, Ngog has dived to win his team a penalty, it happens in the game and has done for years and years.

"The referee (Peter Walton) didn't get that one right, and when he looks at it again I am sure he will agree.

"He's an honest enough guy, but he will probably agree that their player dived, and it was a terrific dive. Lee Carsley never touched him.

"Lee dived in, and when you do that there is always a risk. But on this occasion there was no contact.

"That was not even close to being a penalty."