Birmingham City's struggles on the road in the Championship deepened on Saturday afternoon, as they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Southampton at St Mary's Stadium.
Early Goals Set the Tone for Saints
The match began in the worst possible fashion for the visiting Blues, who found themselves behind after just six minutes. Finn Azaz, in scintillating form, was afforded far too much space on the edge of the box and expertly curled a left-footed shot into the corner for his sixth goal in five games. It marked the eighth time in ten away matches this season that Birmingham have conceded first.
Southampton's dominance continued, with James Beadle in the Birmingham goal forced into a fine save to deny Leo Scienza. The Brazilian winger was a constant menace and later set up Tom Fellows, who rattled the crossbar. The pressure told midway through the first half when Adam Armstrong doubled the lead, collecting a pass from Azaz, evading Christoph Klarer, and firing home from 25 yards.
Gray's Spectacular Strike Offers Brief Hope
Birmingham's only notable chance of a poor first half fell to Phil Neumann, who headed wide from a corner. They emerged with more intent after the break and were handed a lifeline on 55 minutes. Demarai Gray, cutting in from the left flank, unleashed a magnificent 25-yard drive that flew into the net for his second spectacular goal of the week.
The goal sparked a chaotic period, but Southampton quickly restored their two-goal cushion. Beadle could only parry a Scienza shot, and Armstrong was on hand to tap in for his brace. Beadle later made a superb point-blank stop to deny Armstrong a hat-trick, keeping his side in contention.
Costly Miss Compounds Birmingham Misery
Manager Chris Davies introduced substitutes Jack Robinson and Kyogo Furuhashi in search of a response. The latter was presented with a golden opportunity to set up a tense finale with 17 minutes remaining. Robinson's header from a Tommy Doyle cross hit the post and fell to Kyogo Furuhashi just six yards out, with goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu stranded. Incredibly, the striker blazed the ball over the bar, summing up his and Birmingham's frustrating afternoon.
The defeat leaves Birmingham City's away record in a dismal state, with individual errors and missed chances proving costly against a clinical Southampton side.
Birmingham City Player Ratings
James Beadle (7.5): Made several outstanding saves, particularly from Scienza, but will feel he could have done better with Armstrong's first strike.
Demarai Gray (7): The standout outfield player. Carried the fight and scored a wonderful goal to briefly bring Blues back into the game.
Tommy Doyle (6.5): Provided most of Birmingham's quality via set-pieces and crosses, working tirelessly in midfield.
Kyogo Furuhashi (5): His glaring miss from close range was inexcusable and epitomises a striker lacking confidence in front of goal.
Marvin Ducksch (4): Another anonymous display away from home, failing to build on his performances from last month.
Other ratings: Iwata (5.5), Neumann (5.5), Klarer (5.5), Cochrane (5), Paik (5.5), Roberts (5.5), Stansfield (5). Subs: Robinson (6), Anderson (N/A), Dykes (N/A), Koumas (N/A).
