Birmingham Burst Wrexham’s Bubble to win the Hollywood Derby
Birmingham ended Wrexham’s unbeaten run! Birmingham Burst Wrexham’s Bubble to win the Hollywood Derby. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s team faced their first League One loss against Tom Brady’s squad, with £15m signing Jay Stansfield netting two goals.
The Blues won 3-1 against Phil Parkinson’s side as they maintained their unbeaten record, and ended the Red Dragons’ in one fell swoop.
Birmingham Burst Wrexham’s Bubble to win Hollywood Derby: We Tell you more!
In a clash of two unbeaten sides, Wrexham took the lead within just three minutes. A corner delivery was not dealt with and Jack Marriott volleyed home via a deflection to give Phil Parkinson’s side a dream start.
Birmingham was level in the 21st minute, though, as Jay Stansfield was quickest to react after Arthur Okonkwo parried an effort from outside the box.
As the half wore on, Birmingham appeared to gain more territory, with Wrexham gradually losing their grip on the game.
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To make that point, the hosts had the lead in the 50th minute, as Stansfield headed a brilliant cross from Alex Cochrane into the bottom corner.
And on the hour, it was 3-1, thanks to a brilliant long-range curling drive from Tomoki Iwata on his league debut.
Wrexham responded by bringing on Paul Mullin, who sparked a brawl after a clash with Cochrane on the halfway line, in which he appeared to think about biting his opponent.
Krystian Bielik was sent off for Birmingham with five minutes left, as he received a second yellow card, but it did nothing to spark a Wrexham comeback.
THE MVP
Stansfield stole the headlines over the summer when he joined the Blues for £15m ($20m) from Fulham, and he looked every bit a £15m striker on Monday night. His brace involved two brilliant finishes with little reaction time, the mark of a proper poacher. If he carries on this form, Birmingham will be back in the Championship in no time.
Who loses? Birmingham beat Wrexham 3-1
Birmingham star Alex Cochrane has spoken out on a bizarre clash with Wrexham’s Paul Mullin in their League One clash.
Mullin came on as a substitute and cannot be blamed for the defeat but his behaviour after entering the field of play was nothing short of bizarre. Having been bodychecked by Cochrane, he appeared to think about biting him on the leg and was booked for his role in the needless fracas. He failed to trouble Birmingham’s defence, too; if he was meant to be the saviour, it didn’t work.
Mullin and Cochrane’s clash appeared to spark a more febrile atmosphere inside St Andrew’s and quickly afterwards, Krystian Bielik was sent off for a second yellow card after a lunging tackle. Cochrane has now revealed that he has no idea what was going on after he was fouled, and has claimed it was simply a nonsensical incident.