Birmingham City extended their unbeaten start to the Championship season with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers in a West Midlands derby at St Andrew's. Adam Armstrong missed a golden chance to win it for the visitors in the 87th minute, spurning a one-on-one opportunity after a pass from Fer López. The Guardian Football first reported the story.
How did the derby match unfold?
Wolves struck first, taking the lead after just three minutes. Rodrigo Gomes provided a cross from the right wing and López was on hand to score his third goal of the season. Birmingham City responded before half-time through Jay Stansfield, who equalised for the hosts. The visitors regained the lead in the second half when Ladislav Krejci found the net, but the defender then turned the ball into his own goal to bring Birmingham level once more. The frantic pace continued, with James Beadle saving a dinked attempt and Patrick Roberts producing a brilliant chip that tested José Sá in the Wolves goal.
What is Birmingham City's current league position?
Chris Davies's side now sit 11th in the Championship table with six points from their opening four matches. Their record stands at one win and three draws, with a recent form of DWDD. They have scored five goals and conceded four, giving them a +1 goal difference. The Blues are currently five points behind league leaders Swansea City. Midfielder Marc Leonard remains on the injuries list, sidelined for the upcoming fixture.
What did the managers say after the game?
Birmingham City manager Chris Davies expressed satisfaction with his team's spirit. "I’ll always be content when the players put in that heart and spirit," Davies said after the match. His Wolves counterpart, César Peixoto, used his post-match comments to criticise the lack of Video Assistant Referee technology in the second tier. "I don’t know why they don’t have VAR in the Championship," Peixoto stated. "It’s very important to help the referees to take the best decisions." The Portuguese coach revealed he had attended a pre-season meeting with PGMOL where officials said grappling at corners would be penalised, but he feels this is not happening in matches.
What is next for Birmingham City?
The Blues face a quick turnaround with an away trip to Carrow Road to play Norwich City on September 9th. Norwich currently sit 12th in the table, one place below Birmingham. Fans can view the full schedule on the club's fixtures page. This match concluded a positive week for the club off the pitch, with chairman Tom Wagner returning to the St Andrew’s directors’ box for the first time since suffering a stroke in February. Wolves, who retained most of their Premier League squad after the transfer deadline, have now conceded 10 league goals this season; among the relegated teams, only Burnley have let in more.
