Midlands | A pulsating derby between West Brom and Birmingham City

West Bromwich Albion 1 - 1 Birmingham City

Marvin Ducksch struck late to rescue a point for Birmingham City in a breathless Hawthorns derby against West Brom.

Author | Jamie Peters 

Stadium | The Hawthorns

View from the stands

Alex Mowatt had earlier put West Brom in front with his first Championship goal of the season, capping a dominant first half from the hosts. Birmingham, who had been lively in recent weeks at home, struggled to impose themselves early on but grew into the game after the interval. Ducksch, in fine form, claimed his third goal in two matches with a superbly judged header.

Both sides pushed for a winner as the contest opened up in the closing stages, yet neither could find the decisive touch. The draw leaves Birmingham ninth and West Brom 17th. The away side might be thinking about the play-offs now as they're only two points from the top six.

How the match started

Pre-match huddle

Albion flew out of the blocks. Inside the opening minute, Toby Collyer released Mikey Johnston, who picked out Isaac Price drifting into space on the right. Price’s rising effort skimmed just over. Collyer, on loan from Manchester United, continued to drive his side forward and slid Callum Styles through shortly afterwards, though James Beadle was equal to the Hungary international’s low strike.

Collyer’s promising evening ended prematurely when he hobbled off to be replaced by Ousmane Diakite, but Albion responded impressively. From a quick throw, the ball was nodded into Mowatt’s path and his skidding 20-yard shot beat Beadle via a deflection off Christoph Klarer.

Johnston threatened again before half-time, sending a long-range effort narrowly over, and Albion resumed on the front foot after the break with Aune Heggebo forcing another save from Beadle. Price then squandered two promising openings from the left, dragging both efforts into the stand.

Birmingham eventually found their rhythm

Feed the Ducksch and he will score… 🎶 pic.twitter.com/3bYFqksrNS

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) November 26, 2025

They had a strong penalty appeal ignored when Patrick Roberts’ cross struck Johnston’s arm as he slid to block. Their persistence paid off in the 78th minute when Tommy Doyle delivered a free-kick from distance and Ducksch met it with a delicate header that looped beyond Josh Griffiths.

The visitors nearly snatched victory when Roberts surged from deep and released Kyogo Furuhashi, who turned sharply but fired over. Griffiths then kept Albion level with two important late stops, first from Tomoki Iwata and then from Furuhashi, as Birmingham finished the stronger side.