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.
9. Koji Miyoshi - 7 (off 84’)
Got a decent shot away in the first half as he fizzed one just wide of the right post. Put in some great crosses, too, one of which was nearly turned in by a Swansea defender. | Getty Images
10. Jay Stansfield - 6 (off 65’)
Pressed the likes of Humphreys, Wood and Rushworth relentlessly and nearly got his reward as he set up Dembele’s glorious first half chance. Struggled a little when forced wide, though, and didn’t play in Hogan once or twice when he should’ve. | Getty Images
11. Scott Hogan - 7 (off 65’)
Assisted Dembele’s goal for 1-1 and played a brilliant through ball to the winger at the start of the second half. Pressed to no end just like Stansfield and got the fans off their seats with a bicycle kick attempt early on. Had to do better when played in on goal by Dembele in the 58th minute, though, as he was far too slow to pass. | Getty Images
12. Jordan James - 8 (on 65’)
A moment of brilliance right at the death as he took one touch and struck with power to find the far corner. He looked sharp before that, too. Let's hope that's not his last Blues goal. | Getty Images