Birmingham City 2-0 Wrexham: Report, result, goals as Tom Brady’s team win in Championship

Carlos Vicente and Christoph Klarer scored from corners as Birmingham City ended a three-match losing run and rose to 15th in the Championship by damaging Wrexham’s play-off hopes with victory at St Andrew’s.

The hosts had all eight attempts on target between the teams, making their domination count three minutes after the restart when Vicente headed in Kai Wagner’s delivery via a hand from goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.

Captain Klarer also pounced at the far post to seal victory, meeting half-time substitute Paik Seung-Ho’s delivery 19 minutes from time.

The teams have become known for their high-profile celebrity backers in recent times, but NFL icon and Birmingham minority owner Tom Brady and Hollywood stars and Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds did not attend the game.

Analysis: Wrexham’s Championship play-off hopes fade

Wrexham have not won consecutive league games since February and their patchy form continued as Phil Parkinson’s side remained four points behind Hull City, who occupy the final play-off position and suffered a late defeat at midtable Sheffield United on Saturday.

The omens were perhaps not good for Wrexham, who have not beaten Birmingham since the first-ever league meeting between the teams in October 1979, losing four and drawing three of the sides’ contests since.

They have lost four times in the league at Birmingham and conceded 12 goals along the way, with this a much-needed boost for opponents who had collected four points from their previous eight league games and lost two of their previous four at home, having been beaten in only one of their preceding 41 matches at St Andrew’s.

Birmingham City team vs Wrexham

Birmingham made three changes from their 2-1 defeat at promotion-chasing Ipswich Town six days earlier, including the return of defender Wagner – back from five games out with a shoulder injury – in place of Jonathan Panzo.

Midfielder Tomoki Iwata and winger Ibrahim Osman came in for Paik Seung-Ho and Demarai Gray.

Birmingham City starting XI: James Beadle, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Phil Neumann, Christoph Klarer, Kai Wagner, Carlos Vicente, Jhon Solís, Jay Stansfield, Tomoki Iwata, Ibrahim Osman, August Priske

Birmingham substitutes: Ryan Allsop, Ethan Laird, Jack Robinson, Tommy Doyle, Paik Seung-Ho, Demarai Gray, Patrick Roberts, Kanya Fujimoto, Jonathan Panzo

Wrexham team vs Birmingham City

Wrexham also brought in three players: defender Dan Scarr, Matty James – as captain, following a toe injury – and midfielder Ollie Rathbone.

Dom Hyam, Nathan Broadhead and Josh Windass moved to the bench.

Wrexham starting XI: Arthur Okonkwo, Max Cleworth, Dan Scarr, Callum Doyle, Issa Kabore, Matty James, George Dobson, George Thomason, Oliver Rathbone, Kieffer Moore, Lewis O’Brien

Wrexham substitutes: Danny Ward, Sam Smith, Ryan Barnett, Nathan Broadhead, Ryan Longman, Lewis Brunt, Dominic Hyam, Davis Keillor-Dunn, Josh Windass

What’s next? Birmingham, Wrexham fixtures

Birmingham could do Wrexham a favour in their next game, visiting Hull. Chris Davies’ side are then at home to midtable Preston North End.

Wrexham host midtable Stoke City, then visit relegation-threatened Oxford United.