Stoke (0) 1 Birmingham (1) 2 – 20/1/24 3pm
Stoke got turned over in Steven Schumacher’s first league defeat by a Birmingham toughened up by new manager Tony Mowbray. Stoke sink to 19th. The winter is going to be longer than Steve thinks. Here’s how the game unfolded in real time:
In February 1989, just short of 35 years ago, Stoke last did the double over Birmingham. After beating them on Boxing Day 3-1, Schumacher is keen to set new records. Junho starts for Haks, with Gooch returning on the bench after injury. Jordan Thompson filling in on the left.
7.55 A melee in the Brum box as a muffed clearance results in a goalmouth scramble, where Burger’s volley is saved, but Mmaee hits the rebound into the side netting.
9.05 0-1 !! Stoke caught on break with a great strike by Jay Stansfield, beating McNally to shoot. Fab pass through by Koji Miyoshi. Napping at the back.
13.35 Brum end (Packed) start up with How Poor Must you Be, we’re winning away! Mmaee breaks, but his shot is easily saved. Corner, which McNally heads just wide. Stoke trying…very trying…
26.05 Slick skills by Vidigal on the break, beating two defenders and curling the ball just wide.
35.01 Vidigal clearly fouled, but nothing given but ref stops play as Andre injured Replay not kind to ref. Burger tries to make the case.
48.48 0-2 !!! Great free kick in the top corner looks like it will sink Stoke by Juninho Bacuna.
Attendance is an unbelievable 25,058. Lot of £10 tickets.
60.00 Leris, Tyrese, and Wilmot on for McNally, Baker and Vidigal.
62.00 Tyrese has a one-on-one with Ruddy, but it’s chipped just over. Leris looking useful.
69.03 1-2 !!! Leris and Burger combine for a Thompson tap-in at the far post.
70.00 Gooch on for Hoever.
74.38 Mmaee just over the bar when City should have equalised. He later shoots towards the corner flag!! Chances being missed.
81.05 Nathan Lowe on for Mmaee.
92.45 Iversen comes up for corner and almost gets caught out. Gooch subsequently has to concede a yellow card. Then Burger is cut down by Dozzell, but the ref gives nothing. Crazy. Wilmot almost gets 2 yellows for complaining.
FT City 1 City 2
