Birmingham 3 – 1 Wrexham

With David Beckham, Tom Brady and Rob McElhenney watching from the stands, Birmingham Metropolis got here from behind to beat fellow promotion candidates Wrexham 3-1.

The ambiance was intimidating from the beginning however Wrexham quickly silenced the St Andrew’s followers by way of Jack Marriott, who was dismissed for his goal-scoring efficiency towards Shrewsbury Keep apart, not Paul Mullin.

The striker was the primary to react within the penalty space and fired the ball into the underside nook in simply the third minute after Birmingham did not clear from a set-piece.

Tensions started to construct contained in the stadium after the opener, however Jay Stansfield calmed them down with a late save from Arthur Okonkwo to equalize – his first transfer from Fulham in the summertime. First objective since everlasting switch.

Whereas this was detrimental to the stream of the sport, it definitely galvanized Chris Davies’ aspect and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than Willem Willemson threatened.

Birmingham picked up the place they left off after the break and their dominance was finally rewarded with Stansfield’s second objective of the night time with a intelligent header into the far nook.

Davies made two adjustments to the beginning line-up, bringing on Stansfield and Tomoki Iwata, who added a 3rd simply after the hour with a shocking long-range strike that even Beckham himself could be pleased with. .

A late pink card for captain Krystian Bielik barely tarnished the win as the sport heated up, however that will not distract followers as Birmingham have catapulted themselves into competition with a efficiency like this Automated promotion berth, stage with Wrexham on the prime of the desk.

Hollywood rolls out blue carpet because it arrives in St Andrews

The prospect of those two league title contenders going head-to-head is so tantalizing that not even Hollywood can resist.

The pre-match appearances of Birmingham chairman Tom Wagner, minority shareholder Tom Brady and Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney brought about a stir as they paraded pitchside in anticipation of what was forward of them Any media duties.

After checking arguably the best American rugby participant of all time and Wrexham’s Hollywood affiliate off the record, there’s just one man followers are determined to catch a glimpse of.

Shortly earlier than kick-off, information of Beckham’s arrival hit the group – in the event that they weren’t a part of the group that swarmed into the stadium. Suffice it to say, it simply provides to the celebration ambiance.

Beckham confronted Birmingham twice in his profession, together with a powerful efficiency at Previous Trafford within the 2002/03 season, the place he contributed a objective and an help in Manchester United’s 2-0 victory over Birmingham.

Stansfield have repaid document switch price

sky sports activities’ Patrick Crow:

“Birmingham’s £15m transfer to carry former followers’ favourite Jay Stansfield again to the membership following a profitable mortgage transfer to the West Midlands final season has raised eyebrows.

“Nevertheless, together with his sensible equalizer and his header that put his crew forward, he has began to show he’s value each penny.

Stansfield admitted in his post-match press convention that he was having fun with the stress of the value tag, with Birmingham parting methods with “uncontrolled” figures after a promising begin.

“His chairman was within the stands watching his first two objectives since parting methods with a record-breaking switch price and he can sleep peacefully figuring out that his laborious work has began to repay after main the crew past promotion rivals. Return.

Davies: Our greatest efficiency but

Birmingham boss Chris Davis arrive sky sports activities:

“I believe that is our greatest efficiency. We had some points within the sport, however that is the very best efficiency we have had in a very long time.

“It was a really tough begin. It was the primary objective we conceded from set items and we have now at all times been robust in that space. However within the response, I did not see any change within the gamers. It was virtually like It is like this did not occur.

“We made some good performs and moved the ball nicely into good areas. We allow them to defend. From our perspective, it felt like wave after wave. After which we got here out fast within the second half. Attacked and received.

Parkinson: Errors value Wrexham

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson arrive sky sports activities:

“I assumed we began nicely. We scored, modified the sport nicely and contained them nicely. With their first shot they obtained one again.

“I am simply saying to the lads that we’ve not had too many setbacks lately when it comes to conceding objectives and our response to that hasn’t been what it wanted to be. We have given the ball away too cheaply and given it again too many occasions. .

“We sat too deep within the second half, didn’t become involved fast sufficient and it was ruined by two actually high quality moments.”