Player ratings from Birmingham City’s contentious 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town in the Championship.

Birmingham City were controversially denied a dream start to the new Championship season as a last-gasp Ipswich Town penalty cancelled out Jay Stansfield’s strike in a feisty 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s.

Blues were on track for a deserved three points but their efforts were thwarted by two huge refereeing decisions. Kyogo Furuhashi was denied a dream debut goal early doors as his exquisite lob over Alex Palmer was ruled out for a harsh foul. Ipswich’s penalty was then the result of a handball deep in second-half stoppage time.

Kyogo was desperately unlucky not to open the scoring just seven minutes in. The Japan international beat Jacob Greaves to an awkward bounce and audaciously dinked the ball into the net from no fewer than 25 yards. In what looked like a simple coming-together as the ball bounced, Kyogo was harshly punished by referee Andrew Kitchen.

Revenge-hungry Blues eventually broke the deadlock for real when Stansfield scored what he thought was the winner, 55 minutes in. Blues’ record signing thumped home on the rebound after Kyogo saw a second dink over the evening float over Palmer, this time hitting the upright.

It was a poor clearance from Palmer in the lead-up that was headed back into the danger area by Osayi-Samuel, who was aggressive and fair to win his aerial duel. Kyogo read the flight of the ball excellently before his second dink over Palmer struck the woodwork. Stansfield said thank you very much, reacting quickest to open his 2025/26 account.

Ipswich, contained for the most part by the formidable new Birmingham centre-back pairing of Christoph Klarer and Phil Neumann, struggled to break through regularly until their late spot-kick. Sammie Szmodics had the visitors’ best chance in 90 minutes but thundered wide when intercepting a poor pass out from Blues goalkeeper Ryan Allsop.

Blues were so nearly home and over the line, but a moment of madness helped Ipswich clinch a draw in stoppage time as Lyndon Dykes was penalised for handball and George Hirst converted from the spot. Greaves’ header at the far post certainly hit Dykes’ hand - and the Blues striker’s arms were definitely up - but it was from very close range.

What was Ipswich’s first and only shot on target of the encounter proved pivotal, breaking Blues hearts. The result may not have gone Birmingham’s way but the performance, under all the pressure of opening the new campaign with eyes watching on from all over, will breed plenty of confidence. Here’s how the players rated out of 10.

Birmingham player ratings vs Ipswich

Ryan Allsop: Got away with an awful mistake in the first half as he passed straight to Szmodics on the edge of the area. Thankfully for Blues, the Ipswich striker missed the target. Otherwise did very well with his distribution, so often hitting the sweet spot with his long passes. Beaten from the spot late on. 6

Bright Osayi-Samuel: Made a brilliant start to his Blues career with a dominant display at right-back. Kept Jack Clarke very quiet and was hardly fazed by Ipswich’s press as he dribbled out with composure. Did well to recycle when possession would otherwise have been lost. Booked after a scuffle with Jack Taylor. 8

Phil Neumann: Slotted into Championship action like he’s done it a hundred times before. Kept the likes of George Hirst and Ali Al-Hamadi at bay and showed his pace with several vital interventions. 8

Christoph Klarer: Gritty. A proper captain’s performance. Made a real statement that he can perform no matter the level. Came out on top against Hirst and Szmodics in so many physical battles throughout. Deserved the clean sheet but denied. 8

Alex Cochrane: Didn’t put much of a foot wrong and dealt with Chiedozie Ogbene very well. Swung in the odd decent cross. 7

Paik Seung-ho: Didn’t have many flash moments but did the dirty work efficiently, breaking up the play. Helped Blues dominate possession with some composed passing, even under pressure. 8

Tomoki Iwata: Found Stansfield and Kyogo in behind on several occasions with some superb vision. Whipped a few lovely crosses into the box. 8

Demarai Gray (off 83’): Struggled to make his mark on his homecoming. Had a go with a 30-yard free-kick but it was saved with ease. Worked hard to make a few interceptions. 7

Jay Stansfield (off 83’): Showed great composure to score the opener for Blues after Kyogo’s effort hit the post. Improved a great deal from the first half, when he scuppered two chances. Linked up well with Kyogo and Anderson. 7

Keshi Anderson (off 89’): Didn’t beat his man as often as usual but absolutely worked his socks off to win second balls throughout. Tracked back to win plenty of important tackles before coming off just ahead of Ipswich’s equaliser. 7

Kyogo Furuhashi (off 77’): Earned a deserved standing ovation when he came off after a very promising debut. Was so unlucky not to score the opener seven minutes in as he exquisitely dinked the ball over Palmer from range. It was a beautiful finish ruled out for the slightest push. Looked lively leading the line throughout, often dropping into the half spaces to receive the ball. Will claim the assist for the woodwork hit before Stansfield’s winner. 9*