Birmingham City were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Derby County at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park on Boxing Day, extending their winless run in the Championship to five matches.
Festive Frustration for Blues
The home side cancelled out Patrick Agyemang's first-half opener for Derby with a goal from defender Jack Robinson, his first for the club. However, the match ended on a sour note as Blues captain Christoph Klarer was sent off in stoppage time for a high challenge on Ebou Adams, ruling him out of crucial upcoming fixtures.
Match Analysis: Chances and Dismissals
The game began brightly for Birmingham, with Demarai Gray hitting the post early on before his afternoon was cut short by injury after just 15 minutes. Despite dominating possession, Blues fell behind against the run of play. Rhian Brewster's pace exposed the defence, allowing him to set up Agyemang for a simple headed finish.
Derby's task was complicated before half-time when Joe Ward received a second yellow card for a foul on the dangerous Patrick Roberts. Despite the numerical advantage, Birmingham struggled to break down a resolute Rams defence until the 65th minute. Marc Leonard's free-kick was turned home by Robinson, sparking hopes of a winner.
Player Ratings and Consequences
Robinson was the standout performer, atoning for his part in Derby's goal by scoring the equaliser and later hitting the crossbar. Patrick Roberts was a lively threat in the first half. However, the day was defined by Klarer's late dismissal, which will see him miss games against Southampton, Watford, and Coventry.
Key player ratings included:
- Jack Robinson (7): Scored the crucial equaliser and was a threat throughout.
- Christoph Klarer (4): At fault for the opening goal and dismissed late on.
- Patrick Roberts (7): Blues' most creative force in the first period.
- Demarai Gray (N/A): Forced off early with an injury, a major blow for Chris Davies.
The result leaves manager Chris Davies with mounting problems, including a lack of wins, a key suspension, and an injury to a top performer, as Birmingham's season threatens to stall.
