Midlands | Birmingham City progress after winning all Championship clash

Birmingham City 2 - 1 Sheffield United 

Substitute Jay Stansfield struck late to give Birmingham City a deserved Carabao Cup victory over Sheffield United

Author | Peter Grainger 

Stadium | St Andrew's 

A fantastic atmosphere in Birmingham

The hosts were gifted an opener inside five minutes when debutant Dovydas Sasnauskas under-hit a backpass, allowing Demarai Gray to pounce and set up Kyogo Furuhashi to finish.

The Japanese forward then squandered two clear chances to extend the lead and was punished in spectacular fashion when Gus Hamer equalised from just over the halfway line with a superb strike.

Birmingham refused to be rattled, and Stansfield, on as a substitute, turned neatly on the edge of the area before his low shot deflected beyond Adam Davies. The win sets up a second-round tie at home to League One Port Vale.

Closer analysis of what happened

Sheffield United corner

Birmingham manager Chris Davies made six changes from the side held by Ipswich Town in their Championship opener, while Blades boss Ruben Selles made 10 alterations from their 4-1 defeat to Bristol City.

As on Saturday, Sheffield United were behind within five minutes. Sasnauskas’ error was punished by Kyogo, who then miscued when through on goal and scuffed another effort wide. Tom Cannon came closest to an equaliser before Hamer’s long-range strike, hitting the outside of the post with a deflected effort.

Birmingham thought they had a second when Ethan Laird headed in from a corner, but referee Gavin Ward blew for an infringement. Moments later, Hamer’s stunning leveller stood despite the ball appearing to hit the referee in the build-up.

Stansfield’s late winner ensures Birmingham’s strong start continues, while United search for their first win when they face Swansea on Saturday.