Gary Rowett reacts to 'tough' Birmingham City loss at Leicester City as Blues drop into the relegation zone

Birmingham City have sunk into the Championship relegation zone following their 2-1 away defeat at Leicester City. The Blues are now inside the bottom three with already relegated Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday. 

Gary Rowett’s side fell behind at the King Power Stadium after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s goal just before the half hour mark. They then levelled it up on the stroke of half-time through striker Jay Stansfield. 

Birmingham held on until the 87th minute before Stephy Mavididi struck for the Foxes. They then weren’t able to respond and fell to a loss. 

Rowett said afterwards, as per a report by BirminghamLive: “It was tough to take at the end when you get to that point but Leicester are a very good side and they play with an incredible width and energy. 

“They make the pitch so big and they continually run through those spaces and open you up. I thought there were times when we had to defend last-ditch and there was a couple where you think we have done well to keep them at bay.

“I thought there were a lot of good things and diligent things around the performance. There is a chance for you to take a point out of the game, whether you deserve it or not.”

Leicester manager Enzo Maresca told BBC Leicester: “I’m very proud. I said to them at half-time, be even more patient. In the second-half, we were even better. At the end I think we deserved to win. 

“They (Birmingham) were playing with a back four, but marking man to man, creating a line of six. We kept fighting until the end and found a way to win. 

“We are playing for a clear target. We need players that can win games, and today we saw that they can do that.”

Birmingham are a point from safety with five fixtures left to play this season. Next up is a home clash against Cardiff City on Wednesday as they look to return to winning ways.