Birmingham manager Chris Davies hailed the “relentlessness” of his team after a routine 2-0 win against Bolton put them four points clear at the top of Sky Bet League One.
Tomoki Iwata’s cushioned third-minute volley and substitute Jay Stansfield’s 83rd-minute penalty sealed Blues’ ninth win in 11 games.
Bolton missed the chance to equalise late on when John McAtee missed a one-on-one chance with goalkeeper Ryan Allsop.
But a point for Bolton would have flattered Ian Evatt’s side after Alfie May was denied in a one-on-one and Ethan Laird’s header was superbly denied by goalkeeper Luke Southwood.
“It was one of our best performances of the season,” said Davies.
“There was a period in the first half that was one of our strongest periods. We had a relentlessness about us.
“It was about pressing, intensity, hard work, running and chasing and we did that.
“It came together nicely and we created some good chances.”
Iwata has now scored four goals in all competitions this season despite being a defensive midfielder, but Davies said this one was the pick.
“The ones he has scored have been at a really high level,” added Davies.
“He’s arriving on to things from different angles and from different positions.
“This one was probably the pick because it came out of the air and it was a difficult technique.
“It was an exceptional goal, but he’s humble and he works hard for the team, every game he’s up for it and that’s why he’s so important for us.”
Evatt, who served the second of a three-match touchline ban, insisted his side threw away the chance of a point with McAtee’s miss.
“They’re as good as I’ve seen at this level,” Evatt said of Birmingham.
“We hung in there and got the moment we wanted – John had to score.
“If he had, that would have been 1-1, and we’d have been in the ascendancy.
“We had a plan to be tight and be in the game at 60 minutes and then we could get the attackers on, be a bit more adventurous and go for it.
“The disappointing thing was we conceded very early, and it was a bit self-inflicted.”
Evatt felt the penalty should not have been given.
“Will (Forrester) was trying to block the ball and his momentum carried him through,” he said.
“You see that tackle so many times during games and the referee – who I thought was very poor – couldn’t wait to give the penalty.”
Not surprisingly, Davies disagreed, saying: “There could have been two penalties there – if he’d have gone down from the first challenge, that would have been a penalty, and the second one was a lunge and a foul.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. EPL Week 22 Ronaldo on this day Chelsea eyeing possible Garnacho move IT'S ALWAYS HIM! Which club should El Capitano - @sergioramos JOIN? It was special 2'—Benfica 1-0 Barcelona 13'—Benfica 1-1 Barcelona 22'—Benfica 2-1 Barcelona 30'—Benfica 3-1 Barcelona 64'—Benfica 3-2 Barcelona 68'—Benfica 4-2 Barcelona 78'—Benfica...
Manchester United have been linked with a surprise move for Jack Grealish.Jack Grealish has been linked with a surprise move to Manchester UnitedManchester United are reportedly weighing up a surprise move for Jack Grealish, who faces an uncertain future at Manchester City.The former Aston Villa forward has struggled for game time over the last few months and has only scored one goal for City in h...
KYLE WALKER is to join AC Milan after agreeing a 12-month loan deal, SunSport can reveal.The Manchester City skipper, 34, is expected in Italy in the coming days before being unveiled to the Rossoneri.Kyle Walker has agreed a move to AC MilanHe was poised to join their fierce city rivals, Inter, after telling City of his desire to quit the Etihad but talks broke down over his wages.AC Milan have n...
Lecce's president revealed he met with Manchester United representatives regarding Patrick Dorgu but warned to keep their hands off the player.Man Utd officials met with Lecce for Dorgu Serie A side reportedly want €40m Club president insists player is not for saleWHAT HAPPENED?United are actively exploring options to strengthen their left wing-back position, a role head coach Ruben Amorim s...
Barcelona eye Musiala as summer targetBarcelona have reportedly identified Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala as a priority for their upcoming transfer plans, according to Sport. Musiala’s current deal with Bayern Munich runs until 2026, but reports suggest that the Bundesliga champions are already in negotiations for a contract extension. Whether Barcelona can tempt him away from the Al...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Chelsea 's back !!Chelsea 3-1 Wolves Arsenal watching Premier League teams copy their corner kick style. Respect for Antony THAT FINAL WAS SPECIAL! STREETS WON'T FORGET! Lamine Yamal is so young that he will be just 23 years old at the 2030 FIFA World Cup!Most of us will retire from our professions before Lamine Yamal retires from football. The GOAT Vs Sir Bobb...
Manchester United are still waiting for the sale which could act as the trigger point for a frenzy of January transfer activity at Old Trafford. And they could soon get it, with Antony, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho among those heavily linked elsewhere.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted his side will take action in the market if the right opportunity presents itself, while Tottenham m...
Ferran Torres has pledged his commitment to Barcelona.The attacker is being linked with AC Milan this week.But ahead of their Champions League clash with Benfica, Torres said: "I could say that I have learned a lot, with ups and downs. I have had some great moments and some not so great ones."It's been a very nice time and I have a lot of confidence in the club. The future? It will be here, playin...
Fabrizio Romano has provided CaughtOffside with an exclusive video update on the Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea story that has emerged today.In a new post for the Daily Briefing, Romano confirmed the stories about Chelsea’s interest in the Manchester United winger, whilst also reporting on Napoli being keen.Although Garnacho has mostly been an important player for Man Utd in the last couple o...
Manchester City have completed the signing of Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov.City have agreed a deal worth €40 million ($41.6m) plus add-ons for the 20-year-old, who has signed a four-and-a-half year deal at the Etihad Stadium.Khusanov, who has been handed the No. 45 shirt, is set to become the first Uzbeki to play in the Premier League."I'm absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester Ci...
- 1 Benjamin Sesko has already said yes to Arsenal
- 2 Joao Felix eyed by ‘very interested club’
- 3 Liverpool flop and ex-Page 3 girl were 'freaked out'
- 4 Shaun Murphy copies Lionel Messi as he sleeps with Masters trophy
- 5 Liverpool leading race to sign Kerkez
- 6 Teen arrested after shock abuse against Kai Havertz's wife Sophia
- 7 Daily Laugh - Chelsea 's back !!
- 8 Man Utd 'consider Jack Grealish transfer'
- 9 Mourinho makes drastic career change and launches 'The Special One' wine
- 10 Ex-Bundesliga star's WAG has intimate tattoo of footballer husband