Midlands | Dramatic late winner for Birmingham against Swansea

Birmingham City 1 - 0 Swansea City

Lyndon Dykes struck in the fourth minute of stoppage time to secure a dramatic victory for Birmingham City over Swansea City in the Championship.

Author | Peter Grainger

Stadium | St. Andrew's

The first half was a frenetic affair, with chances at both ends. Swansea striker Zan Vipotnik appeared to score with a volley, only for the goal to be controversially ruled out for offside.

After the break, Birmingham substitute Kyogo Furuhashi had a clear chance to give his side the lead, but his scuffed effort was saved by Swansea goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux, who also denied Demarai Gray.

Birmingham intensified their pressure in the closing stages and were rewarded when Patrick Roberts’ precise cross was met by Dykes, whose header sent the St Andrew’s crowd into raptures and extended the club’s unbeaten home league run to 28 games.

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Both clubs are aiming for at least a play-off place this season. Birmingham have invested heavily in their squad following promotion from League One, while Swansea spent more this summer than in any window since their Premier League relegation in 2018.

Birmingham returned to St Andrew’s, where they had not lost a league match since April 2024, after suffering successive defeats in their previous two outings. Swansea arrived unbeaten in seven games in all competitions and fresh from a thrilling 3-2 EFL Cup win over Nottingham Forest.

For long periods, the match was a compelling contest, with both sides looking to attack at every opportunity. Swansea’s pace on the break was particularly threatening, with wingers Ronald and Zeidane Inoussa causing constant problems. Inoussa delivered a low cross for Vipotnik, who fired over from close range, before turning sharply to force a save from Birmingham goalkeeper Ryan Allsop.

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Vipotnik’s disallowed goal followed shortly afterwards, his volley from Josh Tymon’s whipped cross ruled out despite replays suggesting he was onside. Inoussa continued to trouble Birmingham’s defence, forcing two bookings, while the home side’s wide players, led by Gray, were equally influential. Striker Marvin Duksch should have marked his first start for Birmingham with a goal, but Vigouroux denied him.

As the second half progressed, Birmingham gradually wrestled control. Furuhashi and Gray both wasted chances, while Lewis Koumas headed wide and Tommy Doyle came close with a curling 25-yard effort.

The breakthrough arrived deep into injury time, when Roberts’ left-footed cross from the right found Dykes, who guided a composed header into the far corner, sending the home fans into celebration.