The report and player ratings from St Andrew’s as West Bromwich Albion made their trip across the West Midlands to face Birmingham City.
Birmingham City came from behind to win 3-1 at St Andrew’s in the EFL Championship, extending West Brom’s losing streak in the Midlands Derby.
John Swift took the Baggies the lead in the fifth minute, but after a contentious decision to award Blues a penalty, Carlos Corberan’s side lost their way.
After Cedric Kipre was found to have fouled Riyo Moyishi, Juninho Bacuna scored, and Dion Sanderson put John Eustace’s team ahead.
To make matters worse for West Brom, former Aston Villa player Gary Gardner came off the bench to score a free-kick, ensuring another defeat in the derby.
The visitors got off to a fast start, as John opened the scoring with his sixth of seven shots on goal. He was discovered in the area, and with no one around him, he curled a shot off the post and in behind John Ruddy.
Birmingham regained parity in a contentious manner. Cedric Kipre was found to have fouled Miyoshi in the box, and the penalty was upheld despite minor challenges. Bacuna took a stride forward, sending goalkeeper Alex Palmer the wrong way.
West Brom then fell behind as Dion Sanderson, a former Wolves player, poured salt in the Albions’ wounds. Sanderson got away from Erik Pieters and Kipre to loop a header home from Cody Drameh’s cross after an imaginative corner kick.
West Brom wasted a chance to equalize in the second half. Darnell Furlong was found in space by Matt Phillips, but he couldn’t finish, slipping his effort just past the post.
West Brom rued their wasted opportunities as Birmingham secured all three points in the final five minutes. Gardner from 20 yards lifted his free kick over the wall and past Palmer after Kipre fouled Scott Hogan.
West Brom’s players performed admirably in their 3-1 loss to Birmingham City at St Andrews:
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