Phil Neumann scored twice as Birmingham City beat Wrexham 2-1 at the Racecourse Ground, securing their first Championship win of the season and their first away victory in the league since February. The defender headed home twice from set pieces to give Blues the bragging rights in the so-called 'Hollywood Derby' against their North American counterparts.
Neumann's double settles a lively contest
Neumann opened the scoring in the 13th minute, meeting Alex Cochrane's corner to head Blues into a deserved early lead. The in-form centre-back doubled his tally midway through the second half with a perfectly placed glancing header from August Priske's volleyed cross.
Blues had a golden chance to extend their lead before half-time when Demarai Gray's outside-of-the-boot pass found Carlos Vicente, who set up Jay Stansfield with Wrexham goalkeeper Anthony Patterson wrongfooted, but the record signing missed the target.
Wrexham equalised early in the second half through Doyle, who tapped in from close range after Lewis O'Brien was given space to cross from the left. Blues responded well, with Stansfield forcing a good save from Patterson before Neumann restored the lead from the resulting throw-in.
Player ratings: Neumann stars, Beadle crucial
James Beadle earned an 8 rating after making crucial stops, including a brilliant late denial of Kieffer Moore and a rapid reaction to thwart substitute Sam Smith. Bright Osayi-Samuel also scored 8, using his speed to bail out Neumann on one occasion and denying Smith a scoring chance at the death.
Phil Neumann was the standout performer with a 9.5 rating. The defender has become indispensable at the back and provided the necessary punch in attack with a brace no one saw coming. The first header was about sheer desire, the second was perfectly placed.
Christoph Klarer earned 8.5 for snapping into challenges with Ollie Rathbone and Nathan Broadhead to prevent shots at goal, while Alex Cochrane scored 8 after providing the assist for Neumann's opener, meaning he has had a hand in three of Blues' six goals this season.
Midfield control and attacking threat
Jhon Solis scored 9 for controlling Blues' play from deep in the first half and calming everything down at the end. Tomoki Iwata earned 7.5 for putting out fires in midfield and being tidier in possession than in previous games.
Carlos Vicente scored 7.5 after putting one on a plate for Stansfield that should have resulted in another assist, while Jay Stansfield earned 7 for being more involved on his return to the centre of attack, though his failure to score from a gilt-edged position in the 24th minute is the latest sign of his confidence issues in front of goal.
Demarai Gray scored 7 on his first Championship start of the season, showing speed and dribbling ability before making way at half-time after picking up knocks. August Priske earned 8 for a top Championship centre-forward's display, winning duels and producing a peach of a cross for Neumann's second.
Substitutes and attendance
Patrick Roberts (for Gray, 46) scored 6.5, fighting for everything in his longest outing since early April, while Paik Seung-ho (for Stansfield, 74) scored 6 after conceding the ball carelessly but improving to help Blues see the game out. Luis Vazquez (for Priske, 82), Dael Fry (for Vicente, 90) and Ethan Laird (for Osayi-Samuel, 90) were not rated.
Attendance was 10,536, with 1,267 away supporters. Blues were able to see the game out relatively comfortably from there to record their first league win of the season.
