Birmingham City boss Lee Bowyer delivers glowing Manchester United verdict

Lee Bowyer welcomed the return of Tahith Chong and believes Birmingham City’s season would have been totally different had the Manchester United attacker remained fit.

Chong made his first start since October in Blues ’ 2-1 win over Bristol City at Ashton Gate - and scored his first goal for the club.

His composed second-minute finish gave the visitors a lead they would never relinquish - and Bowyer an insight into what might have been.

“He has been a big miss for us,” the head coach said. “At the start of the season when we had him we created and we looked so dangerous in near enough every game – even when we lost.

“He was a big player for us and to not have him for four-and-a-half months was a long time. He was our most creative player, so to not have him for that long we have definitely missed him for sure.

“He is very good at twisting and turning, he is a tricky player. When he is fully fit then he is even more exciting to watch. He has been out a long time, I am pleased he is back out there playing and has scored his first goal.”

Overall Bowyer felt his side deserved their 2-1 victory and should probably have won by more after a rampant first half.

He added: “I thought we were very good. I think we surprised them at times, especially early on. Whenever we won the ball I felt we looked like we were going to score on the break with our pace.

“If I have got a small criticism I thought we should have scored more – especially first half. Second half the ‘keeper makes two great saves from [Juninho] Bacuna.

“We should have scored more really and made it a bit more comfortable than what it was. But I have to praise the players they kept going and ground out the result in the end.

“We are a good side, we have just not