Birmingham City failed to get off to a dream start under Tony Mowbray but a clear improvement was displayed as the points were shared with Swansea City in a thrilling 2-2 draw at St Andrew's Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Luke Williams, also new to his team's dugout having moved to Swansea from Notts County on January 5, will be frustrated to go away with just a single point. Birmingham, on the other hand, will take confidence from avoiding defeat.
Blues were probably the better team in the first half but were undone by poor defending at a set piece as Harry Darling was left unmarked and headed in emphatically to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Ivan Sunjic had to do better to defend the corner as he was outmuscled and caught out of position. Siriki Dembele scored an excellent equaliser a few minutes later to bring the scores level before the interval, but Swansea regained their advantage in the second half with a clinical counter-attack finished off by Jamal Lowe.
It seemed as if it was going to be a frustrating afternoon for Blues but wonderkid midfielder Jordan James, off the bench, had other ideas. The 19-year-old struck hard and low deep in second-half stoppage time to send the home crowd into bedlam. Transfer speculation is rife for the 19-year-old as Italian outfit Atalanta are desperate to sign him. That moment could add to James' price tag somewhat as his goal, from at least 25 yards out, earns a draw on Mowbray's bow.
The main takeaway from the clash, other than the point, was the improvement defensively – ironically so given the two goals conceded could've been avoided. Birmingham were nowhere near as open on the transition as they were under Wayne Rooney, with fewer players being thrown forward at once. The promising fact is Mowbray's slight caution didn't hinder Blues' goalscoring threat as there were still half-a-dozen shots on target recorded. With all of that in mind, here are our Birmingham player ratings.
5. Lee Buchanan - 5
Not quite his usual self as he often allowed Parker too much space to cross. Struggled in possession, too, as most of his forward passes were intercepted. | Getty Images
6. Krystian Bielik - 4
Patient in possession, perhaps too much so, which was frustrating for Bluenoses watching on. Doesn’t seem to have the confidence to play the killer pass at the moment. Made far too many sloppy fouls, too. We’re talking four or five given away – and cheaply so. | Getty Images
7. Ivan Sunjic - 6 (off 65’)
Had to do better when defending the corner that led to Swansea’s opener as he was outmuscled and forced out of position. Read the transitions well as he often pounced to drive forward, though, and got Long out of trouble by heading a high slice back to Ruddy. | Getty Images
8. Siriki Dembele - 8
Took his goal brilliantly with a superb run and emphatic finish, following on from two other first half shots on target. It was a deserved goal, too, as he looked confident and caused Darling and Parker all sorts of problems. Should’ve had a second goal, though, as he fluffed his lines just after the break. | Getty Images