Game Report: Birmingham City 3-0 Bristol City

The Blues’ schizophrenic season continued Tuesday with a third straight win, and second straight clean sheet, following the frustrating 6-game scoreless streak.

Birmingham City dominated on the scoresheet, but much less so in the stats. Riley McGree’s 13th minute game-winner was rather against the run of play, and was a long-range attempt from about 30 yards that benefitted from a deflection off a defender. The Blues ended the first half with just 38% possession, and in fact only rose to 41% by the end of the game. Still, they were able to add two second-half goals from Scott Hogan and Gary Gardner to ice the win.

Part of Bristol’s problem was their inability to shoot, much less on target. Of their meager 9 shots, only 1 was on target and that was deep in second-half stoppage time, and was weakly struck from distance causing keeper Matija Sarkic no problems. In contrast, the Blues racked up 14 shots and scored with all 3 on target.

They also got the win without standout Tahith Chong who is out with a groin injury. At the other end of the field, the good injury news is that Neal Etheridge, the first-choice goalkeeper, was on the bench and finally appears recovered from his bout with COVID.

The 3 points sees Birmingham rise to 13th in the table (but only on goal difference) and only 2 points out of the playoff spots in a very congested EFL Championship.