Hannibal Mejbri scored a goal and provided an assist to help Birmingham produce one of the most comfortable football scores of the weekend in the Championship. A wide free kick from 35 yards out was curled in spectacularly by the on-loan Manchester United midfielder in just 10 minutes, fooling West Brom goalkeeper David Button into thinking he was going for a cross. The Blues midfielder Krystian Bielik then beat Button to the ball and Mejbri curled in a beautiful corner for Bielik to score. The victory puts John Eustace’s team 10 points above the relegation zone and brings them within six points of the play-off spots heading into Saturday’s game. Meanwhile, West Brom wasted the opportunity to climb up to fifth despite celebrating manager Carlos Corberan’s new contract in midweek following rumors of a transfer to Leeds.
Birmingham supporters protested against the owners of Birmingham Sports Holdings by marching from the city center to St Andrew’s, but at least they scored early on to calm their tempers. The hosts were intelligent, but Hannibal gained control after 10 minutes when Lukas Jutkiewicz deftly acquired a free kick from Conor Townsend 30 yards to the right. However, the 20-year-old stunned the goalkeeper by swerving around the one-man wall to find the bottom corner. Button had anticipated him to swing it into a packed area.
First of all, despite Tahith Chong’s ferocious drive having to be stopped by Button, the Blues rocked Albion but were initially unable to extend their lead. Although Daryl Dike briefly gave the hosts cause for concern when he charged down John Ruddy’s clearance, the Baggies were unable to match Birmingham’s effort and finished in second place. Marc Albrighton’s attempt was deflected wide but never threatened Ruddy, and the team that had won 11 of their previous 16 games offered nothing.
On the bench, Corberan was upset, and he wouldn’t have become more so until seven minutes after the break. Albion gave up a cheap corner, and when a flailing Button missed Hannibal’s throw, Bielik nodded it in. As the Baggies attempted to retaliate, Ruddy turned John Swift’s drive behind them. However, there was no turning back.
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