Another setback as Blues face defeat by Cardiff City

Blues were beaten by Cardiff City in the Sky Bet Championship on Wednesday night.

Josh Bowler’s 65th-minute goal settled matters in the first of two fixtures at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park this week.

Team news:

For the third consecutive encounter, the Interim Manager picked the same starting XI, with Queens Park Rangers loanee Andre Dozzell replacing Siriki Dembele on the bench.

Match action:

As kickoff came, the home crowd was eager for war, and Jay Stansfield demonstrated his will to fight, promptly returning to the action following a head-on collision with Cardiff defender Nathaniel Phillips. Koji Miyoshi was also willing to take the rough with the smooth, riding a couple of challenges, and his efforts provided an opportunity for Juninho Bacuna to win the first of two corners in rapid succession.

Miyoshi cracked the post on the second of these, which was played short by Paik Seung-ho, as the home side continued to test the Bluebirds’ defense. Following neat touches on each foot, Paik’s effort was blocked, and Bacuna tested Ethan Horvath’s handling from the break.

As the Blues prepared to launch their next attack, Karlan Grant intercepted possession and showed two defenders a clean pair of heels before Yakou Meite fired a thunderous pop-shot. Fortunately, John Ruddy was entirely behind it. Jordan James, teed up by a scrambling Ethan Laird, used the similar quickfire style at the other end, beating both the goalkeeper and the post.

The visitors had a brief period of attacking dominance at the conclusion of the half, but centre-backs Phillips and Dimitrios Goutas both missed penalties and long-range drives.

Half-time: Blues 0-0 Cardiff City

The Blues had the opposition packed in at the start of the second 45, preventing them from playing or kicking their way out. Despite Bacuna and Miyoshi’s continuing inventiveness on either flank, the area had yet to be translated into the formation of a clear-cut chance. When the opportunity to shoot presented itself, Lee Buchanan’s bouncing volley forced Horvath to make a save for the cameras.

Then, in the 65th minute, a decisive blow was delivered. Bowler linked well with Rubin Colwill, Aaron Ramsey’s half-time substitution, and scored from close range.

Rowett responded quickly, bringing Cody Drameh on from the left side and bolstering Birmingham’s offensive capabilities with Keshi Anderson and Alex Pritchard. Although defense was the key objective in the immediate aftermath, back-to-back blocks prevented Grant from scoring Cardiff’s second.

Still looking for more in the final third, Scott Hogan was called upon, and the No. 9 soon demonstrated his skill. He flicked on Pritchard’s free kick, but it skipped by those arriving in royal blue.

More desire to win the game arose, but a final chance could not be created in B9, even with four minutes added on.

Blues (4-1-4-1): John Ruddy, Ethan Laird, Emanuel Aiwu, Dion Sanderson (Captain), Lee Buchanan (Cody Drameh 70), Krystian Bielik (Scott Hogan 80), Koji Miyoshi (Keshi Anderson 70), Paik Seung-ho, Jordan James (Alex Pritchard 70), Juninho Bacuna (Gary Gardner 86), Jay Stansfield.

Substitutes not used: Neil Etheridge, Tyler Roberts, Andre Dozzell, Ivan Sunjic.

Bookings: Bielik 54.

Cardiff City (4-4-1-1): Ethan Horvath, Perry NG, Nathaniel Phillips, Dimitrios Goutas, Jamilu Collins, Josh Bowler (Ciak Askford 71), Manolis Siopis, Joe Ralls (captain) (David Turnbull 81), Karlan Grant, Aaron Ramsey (Rubin Colwill 46), Yakou Meite (Famara Diedhiou 72).

Substitutes not used: Matthew Turner, Romaine Sawyers, Ollie Tanner, Joe Colwill, Cian Askford.

Bookings: NG 47, Bowler 59, Ralls 73.

Referee: Sam Allison.

Attendance: 20,894.