QPR missed a chance to regain the top spot as Birmingham produced one of the most comfortable football results of the weekend in the Championship. Within four minutes, the Blues had the perfect start thanks to a spectacular flip from Auston Trusty, an Arsenal loanee, and just before the half-hour mark, Emmanuel Longelo skillfully doubled the lead. Between the scores, Rangers lost Tyler Roberts and Jake Clarke-Salter to injuries, and Lyndon Dykes’ penalty was expertly saved by John Ruddy late in the game, adding insult to injury. As a result, the Blues’ ascent up the table continues, with John Eustace’s team currently sitting in 11th place, three points outside of the play-off spots, before the rest of the weekend’s games. Two points behind leaders Burnley, QPR maintain second place.
Before the game, Birmingham was 22nd in the division for possession, and their three fast-break goals were a league-high. Despite the figures, though, Birmingham’s play was intense right away. That focus paid off with less than four minutes remaining. Trusty had the foresight to flick the ball into the air with his back to the goal, over a defenseless Seny Dieng, and into the goal after Krystian Bielik assisted the ball back into the area after his air kick.
After the setback, QPR reacted brilliantly and had three chances to tie the score. Before Dykes pounced on a loose ball and fired a first-time shot straight at the Blues goalkeeper, Ruddy deflected a free-kick from Ilias Chair over. Tyler Roberts then just missed the target when Harlee Dean slipped. With 12 minutes remaining, that changed when Longelo struck Laird with a high boot, resulting in referee Tim Robinson awarding a penalty. Ruddy dove to his left to push the ball around the post in a way that defied his 36 years, to cap off a thoroughly successful evening for the Blues. Dykes went up to take it and blasted the ball with power.
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