Match ends, Birmingham City 0, Sheffield Wednesday 2.
BirminghamBirmingham City0Sheff WedSheffield Wednesday2
Stevie May netted a crucial opening goal as Sheffield Wednesday secured a 2-0 win over Birmingham at St Andrews.
The Scotland striker joined for an undisclosed fee from St Johnstone in August and notched his second Owls strike halfway through the second half.
The visitors sealed the three points late on through substitute midfielder Jeremy Helan.
The Frenchman, a former Manchester City youth player, slotted home calmly with just a minute remaining.
The win was just reward for Wednesday's positive play, Stuart Gray's side forcing more corners and shots on target than their hosts over the 90 minutes.
In an entertaining encounter, both sides tried to adopt free-flowing, attacking formations.
The result was some open play, with forward Atdhe Nuhiu unlucky not give Wednesday the lead early on when his first-time shot flew just wide.
Birmingham then came close, with midfielder Paul Caddis' swerving 20-yard effort crashing against the outside of a post on the half-hour.
Blues keeper Darren Randolph parried Chris Maguire's shot and then dived at the feet of Jacques Maghoma to deny the Wednesday players early in the second half.
But the Owls continued to press and striker May eventually put Wednesday ahead in the 68th minute.
The Scotland under-21 international collected a pass on the left and moved across the edge of the penalty area before firing a low shot through a packed Birmingham defence and into the net.
And in the game's final moments, Maguire carved out an opening for Helan to settle the match in the 89th minute, coolly planting the ball to Randolph's left.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray:
"In the second half we just dominated the game as we became more creative.
"I am delighted because when we come up against such a team we now know we can compete.
"It is now six clean sheets and this is a good place to come and get three points."
Birmingham boss Lee Clark:
"We were the dominant team in the first half and then the second half things changed too dramatically for us.
"Goals change games but we have to be more clinical. I am not going to change my tune about the strikers but they have to take responsibility and provide the gilt-edge on our performances."
Line-ups
Birmingham
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Randolph
- 2EardleySubstituted forSpectorat 16'minutes
- 3Grounds
- 4RobinsonBooked at 59mins
- 6EdgarBooked at 41mins
- 26DavisSubstituted forGleesonat 79'minutes
- 11Cotterill
- 31Caddis
- 13SheaSubstituted forGrayat 54'minutes
- 9Donaldson
- 10Thomas
Substitutes
- 7Duffy
- 8Gleeson
- 17Reilly
- 21Doyle
- 22Shinnie
- 23Spector
- 33Gray
Sheff Wed
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Westwood
- 15Lees
- 3Mattock
- 5Loovens
- 8Palmer
- 19Maghoma
- 10Maguire
- 6Semedo
- 14CokeSubstituted forDrentheat 63'minutes
- 9NuhiuBooked at 62minsSubstituted forMadineat 74'minutes
- 7MaySubstituted forHelanat 81'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Buxton
- 11Drenthe
- 17Helan
- 18Zayatte
- 24Madine
- 35Dielna
- 43Kirkland
- Referee:
- James Adcock
- Attendance:
- 14,085
Match Stats
Home TeamBirminghamAway TeamSheff Wed
- Possession
- Home48%
- Away52%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home1
- Away3
- Corners
- Home5
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Birmingham City 0, Sheffield Wednesday 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. Demarai Gray (Birmingham City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Wes Thomas.
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Chris Maguire (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Demarai Gray (Birmingham City).
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Foul by Gary Madine (Sheffield Wednesday).
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Paul Robinson (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. Royston Drenthe (Sheffield Wednesday) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jacques Maghoma.
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Hand ball by Paul Caddis (Birmingham City).
Goal!
Goal! Birmingham City 0, Sheffield Wednesday 2. Jeremy Helan (Sheffield Wednesday) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Chris Maguire.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by David Cotterill with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Birmingham City. Conceded by Josè Semedo.
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Glenn Loovens (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Dangerous play by Wes Thomas (Birmingham City).
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Jacques Maghoma (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City).
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match Joe Mattock (Sheffield Wednesday) because of an injury.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Chris Maguire (Sheffield Wednesday) because of an injury.
