Stansfield double puts Birmingham top after 2-1 win over Swansea

Jay Stansfield’s late second goal secured Birmingham a 2-1 Championship win over Swansea, putting the Blues top of the table.

Stansfield opened the scoring in the first half and struck again three minutes from time after Christoph Klarer’s own goal had brought Swansea level. Swansea played much of the match with 10 men following Marko Stamenic’s dismissal for a high challenge on Ethan Laird.

Swansea made the brighter start. Birmingham goalkeeper Ryan Allsop saved Ross Stewart’s early penalty, awarded after Jenson Seelt went down under a challenge from Alex Cochrane at a corner. Goncalo Franco then headed against the post as Swansea continued to threaten.

The visitors’ task became more difficult when Stamenic was sent off. Birmingham made the extra-player advantage count around the half-hour mark. Max Bird got in behind the defence and squared the ball for Stansfield, who finished to put the Blues ahead.

Stansfield nearly added a second soon afterwards, but Swansea goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux made a close-range save. Vigouroux was called into action again just before half-time, producing a double save to keep the score at 1-0.

Birmingham held control for much of the second half, but the lead remained narrow. Laird went down in the Swansea penalty area and Birmingham appealed for a penalty; instead, the full-back was booked for simulation.

Swansea stayed in the contest and equalised from a corner when Klarer put the ball into his own net. The goal frustrated Birmingham’s supporters as the side struggled to turn its possession into another breakthrough.

The winning goal came from a set piece at the other end. After the ball ricocheted in the penalty area, it fell to Stansfield, whose powerful shot took a deflection and beat Vigouroux. The goal completed his double and sealed the 2-1 result.

The win lifted Birmingham to the top of the Championship, with Stansfield’s two goals proving decisive after Swansea had threatened early and recovered from going behind.

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