Game Report: Derby County 1-2 Birmingham CityThe Blues avoid the drop
After a listless first half which saw Birmingham City head to the locker room down 1-0, the Blues came out for the second stanza fired up. On the back of two headed goals by Lukas Jutkiewicz, they ended up winners, guaranteeing themselves Championship safety with 2 games remaining.
That it was Jutkiewicz who got the goals was fitting, as it was his foul In the penalty area that cost Birmingham the win Wednesday evening. Or rather, his non-foul; coach Lee Bowyer reportedly received an apology acknowledging the call was an error.
The Blues were totally dominant in the second half, with play almost entirely in Derby’s end of the field. Jutkiewicz nearly made himself a hat-trick, too, narrowly missing a cross that ended up at Alen Halilović’s foot, only to hit the post.
The renaissance of Birmingham City under Bowyer continues. In 8 games his team has lost just once (to Watford), and had allowed just 6 goals.
As City’s fortunes rise (they now sit in 16th place), Derby’s are sinking fast. Rookie head coach Wayne Rooney is now at risk of seeing his team relegated. They are in 21st, just above the 3 relegation spots. However, Rotherham are 4 points behind them with 2 games in hand.
