SM
Watford vs. Oxford Utd: 1 hr 45 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
BL
Championship | Gameweek 37
Mar 17, 2021 at 7.45pm UK
St. Andrew's Stadium
RL

Birmingham
2 - 1
Reading

Jutkiewicz (4'), Dean (72')
Colin (22'), Gardner (28')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Meite (35')

Birmingham City 2-1 Reading: Lee Bowyer makes winning start

:Headline: Birmingham City 2-1 Reading: Lee Bowyer makes winning start:
The Blues battled to victory against promotion-chasing Reading.
Sports Mole

Lee Bowyer got his managerial reign at Birmingham City off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory against Reading at St Andrew's.

Goals from the recalled Lukas Jutkiewicz and captain Harlee Dean gave the Blues only their fourth win in their last 20 Championship games, sandwiching Yakou Meite's equaliser.

Bowyer was welcomed back to Birmingham, where he played for two years from 2009-11, with a printed vinyl banner hung on the gates outside the ground declaring 'Welcome Lee – Keep Right On' – the latter three words in reference to the club's enduring slogan.

Victory for Birmingham was vital to ease their relegation fears and it ended play-off challenging Reading's four-match unbeaten run.

Bowyer's reign got off to the good start as his side took a fourth-minute lead.

Jeremie Bela hoisted in an inswinging cross from the left and Jutkiewicz – one of two players recalled along with Gary Gardner – connected with a towering header.

It was the 31-year-old striker's 50th goal for the club and first since November.

Birmingham centre-back Marc Roberts should have done better when he volleyed high and wide when a loose ball dropped to him on the edge of the box.

But Roberts and his team-mates had some defending to do as Reading came back into the game.

Meite's 25-yard curling free-kick was tipped behind by goalkeeper Neil Etheridge then Josh Laurent volleyed wide.

Meite equalised in the 35th minute, stooping to head home at the far post after Michael Olise's corner had been allowed to sail across goal and Etheridge could only flap at the header.

It was the Ivory Coast forward's eighth goal of the season and second equaliser in as many games.

Birmingham went close before half-time when Roberts headed Alen Halilovic's corner on top of the net then Gardner's firm drive was parried by goalkeeper Rafael Cabral, who denied Scott Hogan from the follow up.

Birmingham captain Dean made it 2-1 in the 71st minute, rising above Alfa Semedo to net with a powerful 10-yard header after Reading failed to clear Halilovic's corner.

Etheridge smothered Olise's 20-yard volley with 11 minutes left then bravely fell tipped away the loose ball under pressure as Reading probed for a second equaliser.

Reading pushed the home side all the way in the closing stages but they failed to create any clear chances as Birmingham's defence held firm to hand Bowyer a winning start.

body check tags ::

amp_article__439615 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-03-17 22:05:31:
html db last update - 2021-03-17 22:05:31 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Wednesday's Championship predictions including Nottingham Forest vs. Norwich
"Of course" - Van Nistelrooy makes huge managerial claim ahead of Amorim move
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe1392231161529
2Birmingham CityBirmingham1292123111229
3Wrexham1374221101125
4Mansfield TownMansfield127322014624
5Lincoln CityLincoln137332016424
6Bolton WanderersBolton137242219323
7Huddersfield TownHuddersfield137151912722
8Barnsley136432118322
9Reading137152120122
10Stockport CountyStockport145632017321
11Exeter CityExeter126151310319
12Charlton AthleticCharlton135441514119
13Peterborough UnitedPeterborough145362526-118
14Rotherham UnitedRotherham144551416-217
15Stevenage145271015-517
16Blackpool134452125-416
17Bristol Rovers135171520-516
18Northampton TownNorthampton134361720-315
19Wigan AthleticWigan133551211114
20Leyton Orient133281118-711
21Crawley TownCrawley143291225-1311
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge123181117-610
23Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury1422101325-128
24Burton Albion130581325-125
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Can Chelsea learn from Arsenal mistakes? Ex-scout suggests next phase for Estevao

1

CC

Double reunion in doubt? Arteta gives Rice, Havertz injury updates before Chelsea

2

DR

"It's my fault": Glasner takes blame for Nketiah injury amid 'suspicious' reports

NEW

3

&M

Amorim receives major injury boost ahead of Man United arrival

4

AR

Preview: Nott'm Forest vs. Newcastle - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PN

Preview: Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PR

Preview: Chelsea vs. Arsenal - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PC

Cubarsi to play in a mask? Predicted Barcelona XI vs. Real Sociedad

8

CT

Will Chelsea or Arsenal win five-goal spectacular? Premier League GW11 predictions

9

WC

Team News: Real Madrid vs. Osasuna injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

10

TN


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .