Birmingham move closer to promotion

-

Birmingham City 4 - 1 Shrewsbury Town

Runaway leaders Birmingham City edged a step closer to automatic promotion with a comfortable win in Michael Appleton's first game in charge of Shrewsbury Town.

Author - Craig H

Stadium - St Andrew's Stadium

EFL ~ 24/25 run in - League One | Birmingham City free kick against Shrewsbury Town

With nine games left, Chris Davies's EFL Trophy finalists are now within four wins of promotion - nine points clear of second-placed Wrexham and 12 better off than third-placed Wycombe Wanderers.

It was one-way traffic from start to finish as Keshi Anderson rifled an angled half-volley a foot over the bar before top scorer Jay Stansfield's rising shot was saved by goalkeeper Jamal Blackman in a one-on-one.

Willum Willumsson curled off target before Kieran Dowell blazed over after Anderson found Willumsson, then cleverly dummied the return.

Ben Davies finally gave Blues a deserved lead in the 27th minute, sliding home Dowell's curling free-kick unmarked from six yards for his first goal for the club.

READ MORE: EFL: 2024/2025

Marc Leonard's drive then deflected behind off Aaron Pierre to maintain Blues' dominance on boss Chris Davies's 50th game in charge.

Laird made it 2-0 in the 61st minute, glancing home Leonard's cross unmarked. Alfie May was then also unmarked when he tapped home fellow substitute Emil Hansson's cross, after 77 minutes.

EFL ~ 24/25 run in - League One | Birmingham City 4 - 1 Shrewsbury Town

May grabbed his second after 86 minutes, after following on to a Louis Harris through ball to round Blackman.

Shrewsbury substitute Vadaine Oliver then headed Town's consolation goal a minute later - the visitors' only effort of the game.

After his first game in charge following the abrupt departure of Gareth Ainsworth, Appleton's Shrewsbury remain 14 points adrift of safety but with just eight games left and only 24 points to play for.

They now travel to third-placed Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night.

Best reaction from those who attended

Josh Thomas watched the match as a neutral and was impressed by what he saw of the Birmingham team. He said: "They were fantastic. Promotion and the title are almost confirmed for them."

This was a view supported by Peter G who is a Birmingham fan. Peter said: "That was another great performance in what has been a fantastic season for us. It's nice to see a blues side play with so much confidence."

Location: Birmingham, UK

Popular posts from this blog

Aston Villa keep fans dreaming of FA Cup success

-
Image
Preston North End 0 - 3 Aston Villa Marcus Rashford broke his four-month scoring drought to send Aston Villa into the FA Cup semi-finals with victory over Preston at Deepdale. Author - Paul Woods Stadium - Deepdale After a few missed chances against the competition's last remaining Championship team, Rashford finally scored by tapping in Lucas Digne's cutback in the 58th minute. Five minutes later Rashford kept his nerve to send David Cornell the wrong way with his penalty after Morgan Rogers had been fouled by Andrew Hughes. These were Rashford's first goals since his double against Everton on December 1st   and they kept Villa's hopes alive of winning the FA Cup for the first time since 1957.  Preston battled hard but a clear gulf in class was only underlined by the absence through injury of first-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman and on-loan defender Kaine Kasler-Hayden, who was unable to play against his parent club. Once in front, Villa tightened their grip and...
Read more

Bristol City edge out Norwich to boost top six hopes

-
Image
Bristol City 2 - 1 Norwich City  Bristol City climbed into the Championship play-off places with a hard-fought win over Norwich City, whose promotion hopes are fading fast. Author - Liam Smith Mark Sykes put the Robins ahead with a composed finish early on, before Nahki Wells doubled their lead after capitalising on a defensive error from the visitors. Borja Sainz, who had already hit the post and missed a golden opportunity in the first half, pulled one back late on to set up a tense finale at Ashton Gate. The win moves Bristol City up to fifth, leapfrogging Coventry and West Brom, who both play on Saturday. Norwich, meanwhile, remain winless in four and sit seven points off the top six, having played a game more than their play-off rivals. Click here for more EFL news and stories Fast start sets the tone A pre-match light show may not have gone down well with the home fans, but City’s start certainly did. Norwich had the first meaningful spell of possession, but Rob Dickie st...
Read more

Germany secure first away victory over Italy in 39 years

-
Image
Italy 1 - 2 Germany Germany came from behind to secure their first away victory over Italy in 39 years, during the Nations League quarter-final first leg. Author - Peter Grainger Stadium - San Siro Sandro Tonali helped Newcastle defeat Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday and he openeed the scoring with a first-time finish after Jonathan Tah cleared Matteo Politano's cross into his path. Germany responded well, After Leon Goretzka twice went close to an equaliser before the break, half-time substitute Tim Kleindienst headed the visitors level early in the second period from Joshua Kimmich's delivery. Moise Kean came close to opening the scoring with a powerful effort that flew over the bar, while Germany goalkeeper Oliver Baumann kept out Giacomo Raspadori with an outstretched leg. But with 14 minutes left, Leon Goretzka completed the turnaround, heading in another pinpoint Joshua Kimmich delivery. Germany almost gifted Italy an equaliser when Tim Kleindienst inadv...
Read more