Tom Brady enjoyed bragging rights over Wrexham’s Hollywood owners as two goals from big-money summer signing Jay Stansfield earned Birmingham a 3-1 victory at St Andrew’s.
Joining seven-time Super Bowl champion and Blues minority owner Brady and Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney in the stands was former England captain David Beckham, who saw Jack Marriott’s early opener silence a loud St Andrew’s before Stansfield rebounded home on his first league start in front of 27,980 fans.
Much was made of Stansfield’s move from Fulham for an eight-figure fee but it immediately paid dividends when he fired City ahead with a second early in the second half.
Oh really it was Rob, it really was. https://t.co/GDHhe9iTsy
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) September 16, 2024
Tomoki Iwata’s stunner helped seal the points before Krystian Bielik was sent off late in the piece.
Wrexham, whose other Hollywood co-owner Ryan Reynolds was absent, took an early lead – Tom O’Connor’s inswinging corner caused carnage under the crossbar and Bailey Peacock-Farrell punched out to Marriott who powered home.
But the visitors were unable to keep a fifth consecutive clean sheet as Alfie May’s initial effort stung the palms of Arthur Okonkwo and the ball fell to Stansfield who struck in the rebound.
Birmingham turned the game on its head thanks largely to a spectacular cross from Alex Cochrane which picked out the head of Stansfield and he nodded home for his second of the night.
It''s @BCFC''s night! 🔵#EFL | #SkyBetLeagueOne pic.twitter.com/inxrwK6guY
— Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne) September 16, 2024
The hosts had breathing space in the 59th minute as Iwata let fly with a thunderbolt from 25 yards which flew past Okonkwo to make it 3-1.
Things started to spill over after a coming together between Cochrane and Paul Mullin sparked a large brawl, with James McClean front and centre. And he was immediately taken off, receiving a loud response from the Birmingham faithful.
Birmingham were forced to play the final four minutes with a man less after Bielik was given a second yellow for a late challenge on Andy Cannon but the damage was done to end Wrexham’s unbeaten start to the season.
The hosts are now level on 13 points with leaders Wrexham.
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