Birmingham City player ratings vs Southampton: One scores 9/10 but two get 5s in seven-goal thriller

Birmingham City were brutally denied a point at the death as Southampton ran out 4-3 victors in a seven-goal Championship thriller at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park on Saturday. The automatic promotion-chasing Saints deserved all three points as they attacked relentlessly all afternoon, but the late nature of the defeat will hurt Blues, who saw captain Dion Sanderson controversially sent off on the hour mark. Only goal difference separates Birmingham from the relegation zone following results elsewhere.

It was an utterly bonkers fixture as the hosts went ahead twice, were pegged back on both occasions, went behind, were lowered to ten men, somehow fought back to 3-3, but then were heartbroken in stoppage time. Saints took 25 shots, recording ten on target and hitting the woodwork twice. But an early goal from Koji Miyoshi, a rocket from Jay Stansfield and a tap-in for Juninho Bacuna were enough to give the St Andrew's faithful hope on several occasions.

Miyoshi's second-minute opener was clinical as Bacuna pinged an excellent cross-field pass to the Japanese, who controlled well on his chest before firing a deflected shot into the far corner. The lead only lasted until the 18th minute, though, as Adam Armstrong, who had scored six in his last four Championship games against Blues before today, netted to make it 1-1 with a composed finish through the legs of John Ruddy. There were many shouts for offside but Emanuel Aiwu played Armstrong on.

The visitors had four or five shots on target midway through the first half but Blues were somehow the next team to score. Stansfield fired Birmingham back ahead, ending his seven-game goalless streak by smashing the ball into the roof of the net in the 41st minute. Sanderson's long ball was misjudged by Saints defender Jan Bednarek, who flicked it on into Stansfield's path. There was still plenty to do as the Fulham loanee brought the ball down before rifeling in his tenth goal of the season.

Southampton, as expected, intensified their attacks even more after Birmingham's second. Adam Armstrong hit the upright with a curled first-time shot before Smallbone fizzed a low effort merely inches wide of the far post and Manning hit a volley off Sanderson and behind for a corner. The tempo and accuracy of passing from Martin's side were almost hypnotic as Birmingham could hardly keep up but the hosts somehow went into the break ahead.

Blues were brave to start the second half on the front foot as they tried to gain a two-goal lead but Saints equalised through a moment of magic from David Brooks. Played down the right flank by Will Smallbone, the AFC Bournemouth loanee skilled past Lee Buchanan with ease before curling a beauty into the top left-hand corner. Ruddy had absolutely no chance as the ball caressed the net for 2-2.

It wasn't long until Southampton scored again to take the lead as Adams broke the hearts of his former side, netting in the 59th minute. Stansfield gave the ball away cheaply on the edge of the area, allowing Smallbone to cross to Adams at the far post. The striker cushioned the ball into his path before beating both Ethan Laird and Ruddy to make it 3-2.

It went from bad to worse for Blues in the 62nd minute as Sanderson was sent off for a high challenge on Smallbone. The Birmingham captain misjudged a tackle and caught the Southampton midfielder around the knee area but the connection was minimal. It looked an incredibly soft red when the replays were shown, frustrating all those in blue.

Most thought Mark Venus' men were down and out after going down to ten but the fight shown afterward was tremendous. Just keeping the score at 3-2 would have been impressive but Bacuna had other ideas, rather incredibly scoring to make it 3-3 in the 78th minute. Laird beat Manning with a stepover before finding Stansfield in the box. The striker was denied by the post but Bacuna was in the right place to pass the ball into the net, equalising and sending the St Andrew's faithful wild.

It seemed as if it might well have been Birmingham's day with the score still level going deep into second-half injury time but super substitute Joe Aribo scored a last-gasp winner for Southampton. Taylor Harwood-Bellis nodded down a Stuart Armstrong corner and Aribo controlled efficiently before poking it home for 4-3, sending the travelling support into raptures.

It was a fair result in the end but a painful one to take for Venus' team, who battled so well to take one of the best sides in the Championship right to the end.

Birmingham player ratings vs Southampton

Here's how BirminghamWorld reporter Charlie Haffenden rated the Blues players in the 4-3 defeat to Southampton, including one 9/10 and three 7/10s but two 5/10s.

John Ruddy - 7

Saw his goal peppered in the first half but did very well to keep the score down, making saves to deny Armstrong, Manning, Smallbone and Downes. Didn’t have as much joy in the second period, unfortunately, as the heavens opened for Southampton. Most of the goals were fairly unstoppable from Ruddy’s perspective.

Ethan Laird - 6

Didn’t stand up particularly well to Adams when the attacker scored to make it 3-2. Could hardly string passes together in the first half but tracked back well to make one or two big blocks. Impressed going forward after Blues went a man down, though, and was the one to cross before Bacuna’s tap-in.

Dion Sanderson - 6

Sent off rather unfairly, most will feel after seeing it back. A sloppy challenge, yes, but not enough for a red. Played the long ball that ended up in Stansfield’s path for 2-1, albeit with a little help from Bednarek. Got the decisive touch on an Adams long shot, turning it onto the post.

Emanuel Aiwu - 6

Played Armstrong onside for 1-1, which was regrettable. Did put in some excellent tackles, though, include one to deny Brooks an almost certain goal midway through the first period. Had mixed success as he stepped into midfield to win back possession. It sometimes worked but more often put pressure on the rest of the defence.

Lee Buchanan - 6

Sent to the ground easily by Brooks before the Welshman curled in Southampton’s second goal. Really struggled to deal with the winger’s skill and pace for much of the game. Buchanan put in several impressive sliding tackles towards the end of the match, though, boosting his rating.

Paik Seung-ho - 6 (off 68’)

Maintained 100 percent accuracy with his passes and enjoyed the odd bit of link-up play with Bacuna and Miyoshi. On the wrong end of the midfield battle, though.

Andre Dozzell - 5 (off 68’)

Couldn’t deal with the quick thinking of Smallbone and Stuart Armstrong as the pair dominated the midfield. Strung a few decent passes together but couldn’t control things as desired.

Juninho Bacuna - 9 (off 90+6')

Scored Blues’ dramatic equaliser, passing into the near post for 3-3. Notched a superb assist for Miyoshi’s early opener as he pinged the ball into the Japanese’s path. Unlucky not to score in the fifth minute as he struck the post. A constant threat for Saints, with so much drive to dribble forward.

Jordan James - 6

Some nice touches and turns here and there but a little inaccurate with audacious passes. Had a good chance at the end of the first half but it was a tame shot on target.

Koji Miyoshi - 7 (off 80')

Showed great composure to control the ball in the air before scoring early for 1-0. Created a good opportunity for James on the verge of the interval.

Jay Stansfield - 7 (off 90+6')

Ended his seven-match goalless streak in style, thundering the ball into the roof of the net to make it 2-1 to Blues. Hit the post before Bacuna made it 3-3. Did give the ball away for 2-2, however, allowing Brooks to score.

Alex Pritchard - 5 (on 68’)

Good to see the former Sunderland man back but he failed to impress. One free-kick was particularly bad as he wasted a good chance for Blues.

Cody Drameh - 6 (on 68’)

Came on at centre back and threw himself at plenty to try and help Birmingham hold on but it wasn’t to be.