Game Report: Stoke City 2-2 Birmingham City

Despite being dominated by the Potters sin almost every statistical category, Birmingham City managed to escape Stoke with a point.

Birmingham City had a microscopic 29% of the possession, but opened the scoring early when 17-year-old Jordan James netted his first professional goal in the 12th minute. Stoke then proceeded to use their control advantage, evening the score 13 minutes later with a Tyrese Campbell goal. Seven minutes into the second half Campbell made it a brace and the Potters looked to be cruising.

But that lasted just six minutes until Gary Gardner tied things back up again. After that Stoke only managed to generate three more shots, none on target. Birmingham’s Kristian Pedersen almost stole all three points in stoppage time with a headed attempt but was wide right.

Even with limited possession, the Blues racked up 8 shots (3 on target), and were able to hold Stoke to just 10 (also 3 on target), and were happy to get the draw.

The Blues remain in 18th, 16 points clear of the relegation zone, and Stoke’s chances of a promotion playoff spot are beginning to evaporate.

Up next for Birmingham City (according to Google anyway) is a home game tomorrow against Atlanta United. After that is another road game at Reading on Tuesday (2:00pm Central, not on ESPN+).