Hannibal Mejbri stole the present as his aim and help earned Birmingham a 2-0 win over West Brom – to earn the Blues their first residence win in 2023.
The on-loan Manchester United midfielder took simply 10 minutes to place his facet in entrance in sensational style, curling a large free-kick in from 35 yards out, deceiving West Brom goalkeeper David Button by pretending to go for a cross.
Manchester United loanee Hannibal Mejbri scored an excellent free-kick for Birmingham, fully catching out West Brom keeper, David Button.
Mejbri then curled in a beautiful nook for Krystian Bielik to move residence, with the Blues midfielder beating Button to the ball.
The victory for the Blues strikes them inside six factors of the play-off spots going into Saturday’s motion – with John Eustace’s facet now 10 factors above the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, West Brom – who celebrated supervisor Carlos Corberan’s new contract in midweek following hypothesis over a transfer to Leeds – missed the possibility to maneuver as much as fifth.
Krystian Bielik acquired on the tip of an excellent nook from Hannibal Mejbri to move in his first aim for Birmingham.
Birmingham followers marched from town centre to St Andrew’s as protests in opposition to house owners Birmingham Sports Holdings continued however they had been not less than given an early aim to ease their anger.
The hosts had been vivid and, when Lukas Jutkiewicz cleverly purchased a free-kick off Conor Townsend 30 yards out on the fitting after 10 minutes, Hannibal took cost.
Button was anticipating him to swing it right into a crowded space however as an alternative, the 20-year-old embarrassed the goalkeeper by curling across the one-man wall to seek out the underside nook.
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Mejbri celebrates after scoring the primary aim
First to all the things, the Blues rattled Albion however had been initially unable to construct on their lead, though Button needed to flip Tahith Chong’s fierce drive behind.
The Baggies struggled to match Birmingham’s depth and, whereas Daryl Dike briefly gave the hosts trigger for concern when he charged down John Ruddy’s clearance, they had been second greatest.
Marc Albrighton’s shot deflected huge however was by no means troubling Ruddy and there was no zip from a facet who had gained 11 of their earlier 16 video games.
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Bielik celebrates scoring Birmingham’s second aim
Corberan appeared agitated on the bench and his temper would have solely darkened seven minutes after the break.
Albion conceded an inexpensive nook and Hannibal’s supply was missed by a flapping Button for Bielik to nod in.
Ruddy turned John Swift’s drive behind because the Baggies tried to reply however there was no method again.
The managers:
John Eustace feels he has a particular group at Birmingham and goals to construct the membership up once more.
Birmingham City supervisor John Eustace talking to Sky Sports:
“I’m so happy with the group of gamers. It was a very troublesome day with the protests. It simply confirmed the character of the group, it is a particular group. We had been favourites for relegation firstly of the season, we signed quite a lot of mortgage gamers and have younger, previous gamers. They most vital need to struggle and scarp for one another and you might see that tonight.
“Last week, we stated we acquired it improper at half-time at Swansea. We put issues proper within the second half. Today, we acquired it proper and set items win video games. Hannibal works day in, time out at set items and we’re grateful that he does.
“These are improbable followers, all by means of the season up to now. I’ve stated from day one which the connection between gamers and followers are a very powerful factor for me. We’ve had troublesome moments however they’ve given 100 per cent and I’m grateful for that and so are the gamers.
“We simply take every day because it comes. I do know it is cliché however within the Championship we won’t get too excessive with the highs and low with the lows. We’ve simply had 5 straight defeats after which two [wins] in a row. We’ve acquired one other residence recreation in opposition to Cardiff, we’ll see the place that takes us.
“Hannibal has are available in, a younger 19-year-old boy in his first mortgage. He had a improbable begin then had a little bit of dip, he is come again and his performances have been glorious of late.”
West Brom supervisor Carlos Corberan talking to Sky Sports:
Carlos Corberan conceded that Birmingham had been higher than West Brom and felt they lacked depth of their 2-0 loss.
“I believe the 2 targets had a large impression in the course of the sport. They began the sport aggressive and so they shocked us within the first aim.
“The depth within the second balls, they had been enjoying extra aggressive. They had been higher than us in that.
“[After] half-time we tried to play extra depth in defence and extra calm in assault to seek out extra conditions to progress. The recreation was interrupted within the first half and within the begin of the second half. They had been one stage higher than us.
“I believe [the first goal] was a wierd aim. In soccer, you possibly can’t be shocked by these actions. We had been ready for a cross and he made a end. It was a great connection.
“The first vital factor, if we win one recreation it’s not by luck. If we lose a recreation it’s not by luck. We did not do properly within the particular person and collective perspective. The very first thing we’re going to do is take accountability and hope to play higher within the subsequent one.”
Player of the match: Hannibal Mejbri
Hannibal: I’m positive Erik ten Hag has Sky
Birmingham midfielder Hannibal Mejbri talking to Sky Sports Football:
“It was an important recreation first, a great derby. I had the possibility to attain and I’m very completely happy. The ambiance was very nice, I simply should benefit from the second.
“There was no message [to shoot for the free-kick], the one message was in my head. I noticed the goalkeeper was too excessive so I acted like I used to be going to cross so I shot.
“We are an enormous household. When somebody wants assist, we’re at all times there. When issues get laborious, we stick collectively.
“I’m positive [Erik ten Hag] has Sky, however I simply must focus till the tip of the season and we are going to see what occurs in the summertime.”
What’s subsequent?
Both groups are again in midweek Championship motion, with Birmingham having one other residence recreation, this time in opposition to Cardiff.
West Brom, in the meantime, host Blackburn Rovers in an enormous recreation within the play-off rivalry race.
Both video games could be watched on the Sky Sports Football Red Button.
