Birmingham City soared to 16th in the Championship with a brilliant 2-0 victory over local rivals West Bromwich Albion on Friday evening. Dominating the encounter from start to finish, John Eustace’s side surprised the Baggies to make it two successive league victories. On a night preceded by protests from supporters outside St Andrew’s, it was Manchester United loanee Hannibal Mejbri who stole the show as he scored his first-ever senior goal to send Birmingham on their way to their first league double over West Brom in over two decades.
Blues started the game very well, controlling possession and showing plenty of urgency going forward. It didn’t take them long to carve out the first opportunity of the night, as Auston Trusty missed a header from a yard or so away from goal. Hannibal’s inswinging corner found the American but he couldn’t get above the ball as it went sailing over the bar.
The hosts carried on their momentum out of the blocks and it paid off as they sent Bluenoses into raptures, grabbing an early lead. It was a moment of pure genius from Hannibal, who looked as if he was set to cross the ball in from a 30-yard free-kick on the right side, but he went for goal instead. The Tunisian noticed West Brom goalkeeper David Button had left his near post completely open and he swung the ball in, finding the net with a beautiful strike. As first senior goals go, that one is certainly up there.
West Brom posed a little threat with long balls from the likes of Marc Albrighton and Jed Wallace but John Eustace’s side looked solid in the first half. Blues looked the more dangerous of the two teams and they were able to break forward for another chance just after the half-hour mark. Tahith Chong, another player on loan from the Red Devils, progressed past two or three Albion players before trying his luck from range. Button got across quicker on this occasion, stopping Chong who so nearly found the top left-hand corner.
The second period began just as well and if not better for the home side and it took merely seven minutes for them to extend their lead. Swinging the ball in from the left, Hannibal’s corner was completely misjudged by Button as he missed the flight of the ball entirely. Polish international Krystian Bielik didn’t care one bit, though, as he was the most alert to convert the ball into the net with a powerful header.
Just moments later, Scott Hogan had a wonderful chance to make it three to the good but he headed just wide of the near post. Chong played a clever one-two with Juninho Bacuna to get past Darnell Furlong before floating a ball into the area, but Blues’ top scorer was unable to convert. The Baggies went down the other end in the 62nd minute, testing John Ruddy for the first time with a well-struck John Swift effort from just outside the area.
From that opportunity onwards, it looked like there was only one winner. Eustace barking instructions from the touchline, thousands of nervous supporters losing their voices with chants in the crowd; there was a real sense of togetherness despite the frustration off the field. That resonated with the players as they fought on to defend their 2-0 lead, holding on until the final whistle for a vital victory. Here are our Blues player ratings from the game.
1. John Ruddy - 7
Did well to deal with a dodgy back pass from Long in the first half. Good save to deny Swift but a couple of shaky moments with his distribution.
2. Maxime Colin - 7
Fought well at right-back and kept Grady Diangana at bay, which is easier said than done.
3. Kevin Long - 6
Nearly handed Daryl Dike a goal with an awful back pass in the first half. Did well defensively but Long definitely doesn’t suit being as a ball-playing defender.
4. Dion Sanderson - 8
Some very impressive composure leading out from defence, both on the ball and without it. Dealt well with Dike, Wallace and Albrighton.