It’s been a successful first week back in the Championship for Birmingham City.
They opened the league campaign last Friday at home against Ipswich Town. Ipswich are favored for promotion back to the Premier League after dropping last season. The game ended in a 1-1 draw but the Blues generally dominated the game.
They took the lead early in the 2nd half on a Jay Stansfield goal but could have been up 2 at that point if a long-distance early goal by new acquisition Kyogo Furuhashi had not been disallowed due to an adjudged foul. The infringement was arguably weak but likely correct (although the bulk of internet commentary disagrees with that!). The eventual equalizer was scored 5 minutes into 2nd half stoppage time. Lyndon Dykes was called for a handball in the box when a header off a corner hit his hand. The call was very weak but Ipswich’s George Hirst converted the penalty and that was it. The teams were involved in melees both before and after the PK and both have been fined as a result.
The draw leaves the Blues tied for 10th overall, not that it means very much at this stage. The important factor is that the team held the upper hand over one of the league’s better sides.
On Wednesday this week the team began its EFL Cup campaign, again at home and again against a strong Championship team. Sheffield United, who finished 3rd last season but missed out on promotion by losing 2-1 in the playoff final to Sunderland. The Blues only made it to the 2nd round last season, losing 0-2 to the Premier League’s Fulham. Based on the initial performance, a deeper run is likely this time around.
Although neither team put out a completely first choice starting XI, Birmingham were utterly dominant the entire game. Kyogo Furuhashi scored after just 4 minutes and could have had at least 2 more, possibly 3, by half time. United remained under constant pressure but managed to equalize in the 72nd minute when Dutchman Gustavo Hamer noticed Blues keeper James Beadle off his line and shot from just inside the center spot. The Blues got the winner when subbed-in Jay Stansfield scored after 87 minutes. The Blues outshot the Blades 20-5 and 5-1 on target. Sheffield had just 1 touch inside the Birmingham 18-yard box as compared with over 40 for the Blues. It was a totally one-sided game and Kyogo has already made his signing (from French side Rennes) look like a brilliant decision.
Birmingham will now play Port Vale in the 2nd round on Tuesday, August 26th. That’s a much more favorable draw than last season. Port Vale are in League One; they did not play the Blues last season as they were promoted from League Two. They lost their first league match 1-2 to Rotherham and beat Blackpool 1-0 in the EFL Cup.
This Saturday the Blues are back to Championship play on the road against Blackburn Rovers (8:30am, Paramount+). The Rovers were a solid 7th in the Championship this past season but have stumbled out of the gate so far this time around. They lost last week 0-1 to West Bromwich Albion and lost again in the EFL Cup 1-2 to League One’s Bradford City.
Speaking of West Brom, the Blues today announced that defender Krystian Bielik has been transferred to Albion for an undisclosed fee. The Pole had been with Birmingham since 2022, making 103 appearances, and was a fan favorite. However, he did not play in either game so far this season.
