Wayne Rooney’s wait for a first win as Birmingham boss continues after the Blues crashed to a 3-1 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Rooney’s struggling side battled their way back into the game after conceding an early opener to former Birmingham youngster Jobe Bellingham, with Koji Miyoshi levelling the scores towards the end of the first half.
However, Sunderland were the better side for the majority of the contest, and after Dion Sanderson’s own goal restored the home side’s lead, Adil Aouchiche made the game safe with a close-range finish 14 minutes from time.
Sunderland suffered a pre-match blow when Dennis Cirkin was injured during the warm-up, necessitating the promotion of summer signing Nectarios Triantis to the starting line-up for his first league start since his summer move from Australia.
The last-minute switch did not appear to disrupt the Black Cats, however, as they dominated the early stages with Nazariy Rusyn smashing an 11th-minute shot against the post after turning neatly in the area.
Six minutes later, and the deadlock was broken as Sunderland scored from a set-piece. Jack Clarke swung in a corner from the left, Rusyn helped the ball on with a flicked header, and Bellingham volleyed home from the edge of the six-yard box.
Bellingham left Birmingham to join Sunderland in the summer, and the 18-year-old, who is the younger brother of England and Real Madrid star Jude, almost doubled his tally midway through the first half.
Bellingham swivelled smartly after Patrick Roberts’ corner was allowed to pass deep into the penalty area, but he scuffed his shot and the ball struck the same post that had been hit by Rusyn a few minutes earlier.
Birmingham were struggling at that stage, but the visitors battled their way back into things and gradually began to create chances of their own.
Niall Huggins hacked off his own goal-line to prevent Jay Stansfield from bundling home, but the home defence was breached on the half-hour mark.
Pierre Ekwah conceded possession, and after Stansfield crossed from the right, no one tracked the run of Miyoshi, who swept home a clinical first-time finish.
With the game remaining extremely open, chances continued to flow in the second half.
A brilliant last-ditch tackle from Birmingham defender Emanuel Aiwu prevented Rusyn getting a shot away, but the weight of Sunderland’s pressure told as they regained the lead just before the hour mark.
A short-corner routine ended with Roberts crossing from the right, with full-back Trai Hume keeping the ball alive at the back post as he looped a header over goalkeeper John Ruddy.
Triantis slid in with Aiwu on the goal-line, and after a series of ricochets, the final touch appeared to come off Sanderson before the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Sunderland made the game safe with 14 minutes left as Clarke did brilliantly to create space to slide over a low cross from the left, with substitute Aouchiche breaking ahead of his marker to turn home from close range.
[(Malmo FF) Strength]: 1. As the traditional giants in the Allsvenskan, Malmo FF are now 4th in the league with stable performances this season. In this Champions League qualifier against F.C. Copenhagen, they will take home advantage to go all out.2. Malmo FF performed well in the league and the Champions League qualification lately. They have remained unbeaten since July, receiving 7 wins and 2 ...
[(PFC Ludogorets Razgrad) Strength]: 1. PFC Ludogorets Razgrad striker Ivaylo Chochev has scored in the last two matches. The player is in good form and is expected to start in this game.2. PFC Ludogorets Razgrad defeated FC Dobrudzha 2-1 in the last First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) match and have remained unbeaten in regular time in the last five games, with a commendable performance...
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[(FC Machida Zelvia) Strength]: 1. FC Machida Zelvia are on a 7-game winning streak, showing strong recent form.2. FC Machida Zelvia scored 12 goals in the last 5 games, averaging over 2 goals per game, which revealed full attack.3. FC Machida Zelvia conceded 2 goals in the last 5 games, with an average of less than 1 goal per game, indicating outstanding defense.[(FC Machida Zelvia) Neutral]: 1. ...
[(FC Dynamo Kyiv) Strength]: 1. Mykola Shaparenko and Vladyslav Vanat both notched 1 goal and 1 assist in the last 2 games, showing their good shape.2. FC Dynamo Kyiv won 1-0 over Veres Rivne in the last Ukrainian Premier League game, starting the new season's league with a win.3. FC Dynamo Kyiv won 6-0 over Hamrun Spartans F.C. in two legs in the last Champions League round, advancing smoothly.4....
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. On this Day Football Klopp is currently Red Bull's Head of Global Football,And He advises RB Leipzig Man Utd are prepared to let Hojlund go for £30m 367 out of 368 players who played in EURO 2004 have retired.Only ONE is still playing, and his name is Cristiano Ronaldo.RESPECT! Just a REMINDER that the RELEASE of GTA VI, Champions League FINAL, and st...
[(FC Rubin Kazan) Strength]: 1. FC Rubin Kazan have had a decent start to the new season, remaining unbeaten after two league matches and one Russian Cup game, achieving a record of two wins and one draw.2. FC Rubin Kazan have shown a stable offensive performance at the start of the new season, scoring two goals in each of their last three matches.3. FC Rubin Kazan have performed steadily at home....
[(Hearts) Strength]: 1. Hearts are motivated to start with a win in this home game.2. Hearts won 3-0 over Sunderland A.F.C. in the last warm-up game. They also kept all wins in the previous 4 Cup games, showing decent form.3. Hearts won the last 5 home games, revealing high scoring efficiency and outstanding home performances.4. Hearts scored 19 goals and conceded one in the last 5 games, boasting...
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