Tom Brady enjoyed bragging rights over Wrexham’s Hollywood owners as two goals from big-money summer signing Jay Stansfield earned Birmingham a 3-1 victory at St Andrew’s.
Joining seven-time Super Bowl champion and Birmingham minority owner Brady and Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney in the stands was former England captain David Beckham, who saw Jack Marriott’s early opener silence a loud home crowd before Stansfield rebounded home on his first league start in front of 27,980 fans.
Much was made of Stansfield’s move from Fulham for an eight-figure fee but it immediately paid dividends when he fired City ahead with a second early in the second half.
Tomoki Iwata’s long distance stunner helped seal the points before Krystian Bielik was sent off late for a second bookable offence.
Wrexham took an early lead – Tom O’Connor’s inswinging corner caused chaos in the box and Bailey Peacock-Farrell punched out to Marriott who powered home.
But the visitors were unable to keep a fifth consecutive clean sheet as Alfie May’s initial effort stung the palms of Arthur Okonkwo and the ball fell to Stansfield who struck in the rebound.
Birmingham turned the game on its head after the break thanks to a pin-point cross from Alex Cochrane which picked out the head of Stansfield and he nodded home for his second of the night.
The hosts had breathing space in the 59th minute as Iwata let fly with a thunderbolt from 25 yards which flew past Okonkwo to make it 3-1.
Things started to spill over after a coming together between Cochrane and Paul Mullin sparked a large brawl, with James McClean at the forefront. And he was immediately taken off, receiving loud jeers from the Birmingham faithful.
Birmingham were forced to play the final four minutes with a man less after Bielik was given a second yellow for a late challenge on Andy Cannon but the damage was done to end Wrexham’s unbeaten start to the season.
The hosts are now level on 13 points with leaders Wrexham.
Reflecting on his team’s win, Chris Davies, Birmingham manager, told Sky Sports: “We were trying to work it constantly, switching the play, and we had some good moments. It was a really good performance.”
He was asked about Stansfield’s goal-scoring abilities and responded: “The first one, following the rebound, showed his instinct for goals. That is just reading the game.
“And with the second goal, you’d have to give a lot of credit to Alex Cochrane for that cross.
“Jay’s header back across goal was very good – yeah, great start for Jay. Really pleased for him but it wasn’t just him it was the whole team.”
Asked about the celebrity interest around the game, he said: “From my point of view it’s tempering that with the day-by-day reality of League One.
“Anyone who thinks its going to be easy, they don’t understand football. Every game is difficult and this is a difficult league.”
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Phil Parkinson, Wrexham manager, said: “I thought we were excellent at the start – we got the goal, switched the play well, contained them really well.”
Reflecting on what changed, he said: “We haven’t had many setbacks in terms of conceding recently. We gave them control in the game and then in the second half we sat a bit too deep.
“If you keep giving a really really good team the ball back, then you’re going to get punished.”
In terms of the league position, he said: “I’m delighted to be where we are, we’ve had a fantastic start this season. They are a good team but we’ve shown we are as well. We’ll learn from tonight and regroup back in training tomorrow and look forward to the weekend’s game.”
After the match, Sky Sports asked Birmingham’s Alex Cochrane whether the celebrity attendance affected their game tonight.
He responded: “Us boys – it’s all outside noise to us and we just focus on the game. I thought everyone was top notch tonight and it’s a big three points.”
Jay Stansfield was asked about the pressure that comes with his high price tag and said: “There’s pressure every game, I don’t think it’s just for me. I’m just going to go out every week and prove people wrong who think it’s the wrong decision.”
It’s a win for Birmingham City which propels them up to second place in the League One table after a night of drama at St Andrew’s.
It was all Wrexham in the opening stages of the match as they secured a very early goal in the third minute.
But their dominance ended there as the home side broke back into the game and began a relentless attack which saw them finish with three goals to Wrexham’s one.
It was a night of excitement both on and off the pitch. Wrexham’s co-owner Rob McElhenney was in the building, as was Birmingham investor, and former NFL player, Tom Brady who was sat alongside new friend David Beckham.
It was just the performance Birmingham needed. They’re now joint on points with first-place Wrexham with a game in hand.
Well, that might be that.
Wrexham are giving it everything they’ve got and have been dominant in these closing stages.
But it’s very much a case of too little, too late.
Another shot from outside the box flies over the goal to the jeers of the home fans.
It just isn’t happening for Wrexham tonight.
Lee drives forward and attempts another shot from just outside the box.
It’s too weak and is easily gathered by Peacock-Farrell.
Wasted opportunity for Wrexham.
They drive forward and Revan attempts a shot which flies at least 15 yards high and wide.
It looks as if 10-men Birmingham will be able to see this one out now.
There will be seven minutes of added time.
Still time for Wrexham to turn this around…?
Sub for Birmingham – Iwata makes way for Davies and is cheered off the pitch by the home crowd.
An impressive league debut.
Red card – Birmingham are down to 10 men.
Bielik was one of the players to receive a yellow card after getting involved in the earlier scuffle between both teams.
He receives a second yellow after a strong challenge on Cannon. An unnecessary sending off for the home team’s captain who will miss their next fixture against Rotherham.
He will be disappointed with himself after that.
More changes for Wrexham as McClean is quickly removed from the pitch, along with Barnett. Revan and Mendy take their places.
Yellows have been dished out all over the pitch after things became a bit heated and scrappy.
Bielik, McClean and Cannon go into the book after that, as do Anderson and Bielik for Birmingham.
The game is about to restart when Mullin decides to make his voice heard to the ref – he is quickly added to the names in the book.
Could this be League One’s newest rivalry?
It’s getting heated on the pitch – a fight has broken out between the players after Cochrane and Mullin ended up tangled together on the floor.
Mullin wasn’t impressed after Cochrane refused to take his leg off him and things seemed to escalate from there with players racing over from across the pitch to get involved.
No VAR of course in League One – whatever the referee says, goes.
Birmingham have dominated Wrexham in every way possible since the visitor’s very early goal.
Even with a comfortable two-goal cushion, the home side are continuing to drive forward in search of another.
More changes for both sides.
No chance of a hattrick for Stansfield as he is taken off, alongside Hansson for Birmingham. They are replaced by Anderson and Leonard.
Wrexham’s Rathbone makes way for Cannon.
Wrexham wins a free kick in a decent position. They try to take it quickly but the referee isn’t even looking… so they go again and produce a very weak shot which pretty much falls into Peacock-Farrell’s hands.
Another shot from the visitors shortly after – Mullin tries to curl one in from the edge of the box but, once again, it’s easy for the goalkeeper to deal with.
Birmingham drive forward yet again. Stansfield attempts a shot from close range but his attempt is easily pushed out by Okonkwo.
Hansson is then clumsily taken down in the box and the home fans scream for a penalty, which is very quickly dismissed by the referee.
And it’s a double substitution for Birmingham as well. Gardner-Hickman and May make way for Sampsted and Dykes.
It’s a double change up front for Wrexham.
Palmer and Marriott make way for Mullin and Fletcher. Mullin has got the team out of some tricky situations in the past – will he be able to work his heroics again tonight?
It’s almost another goal for the home side as Stansfield finds himself in behind. His effort on goal is put behind by Okonkwo.
Goal for Iwata on his league debut!
Birmingham are unstoppable – they have been absolutely excellent since going behind in the early stages of this match.
The ball is passed around just outside the box before Paik crosses to Iwata. He goes straight for goal and it’s a stunning, powerful strike from 20 yards out.
His first goal for Birmingham.
This is getting worse and worse for Wrexham by the minute. They will need to make some changes very soon if they have any chance of getting back into this.
Gardner-Hickman is booked after a rash challenge on McClean.
There it is!
A brilliant cross from Cochrane from outside the box – the ball lands straight on Stansfield’s head at the near post and he steers it past Okonkwo into the goal.
That was inevitable – Birmingham have been ruthless in their pursuit for a second.
Excellent from Stansfield as he secures his second goal of the night.
Sloppy from Wrexham’s O’Connell as he loses possession to Birmingham in the midfield.
The home side quickly drive forward and May attempts a shot from just outside the box.
It sails over the goal – a wasted opportunity for the home side.
The pattern of the latter stages of the first half have continued into the second – Birmingham are straight back out on the front foot.
Hansson has two chances in quick succession. His attempts are dealt with by the Wrexham defence – but how much longer will they be able to keep the home side at bay?
The players are back out and the second half is underway.
No changes at the break – but there could be some very soon if Wrexham begin the second half in the same way they ended the first.
Time to see if Birmingham continue the form and dominance they discovered towards the end of the first half.
After a strong start from Wrexham, the visitors found themselves on the back-foot after a powerful equaliser from League One’s record transfer, Jay Stansfield.
Wrexham will need to make some changes at half-time to get themselves back into this game. They have plenty of attacking talent in the dugout, so let’s see if Phil Parkinson switches things up for the second half.
Impressive from Birmingham to get back into it after conceding early and struggling to break up a strong Wrexham side.
By the end of the half they were firmly in charge and looked closer and closer to scoring a second. They will have been disappointed to hear that half-time whistle.
This game could still go either way.
The visitors would feel lucky to go into half-time with an even scoreline.
Birmingham are simply all over them at the moment. The ball goes out for a Birmingham corner.
It curls into the box but is headed away by Palmer. The home side drive forward again and Iwata attempts a cross into the box from around 20 yards out.
It is kicked out of play and the whistle blows for half time.
Wrexham have not had a shot on goal since they scored in the third minute.
They can’t break the home side down – it’s one-way traffic at the moment.
What a change from the opening 20 minutes of this match.
Birmingham are relentlessly attacking, attempting to score a second goal before half time – and it feels like that moment might come soon.
Cochrane drives forward and shoots from the left. His strike is just too high and sails over the top of the goal.
78% possession for the home team in the past 10 minutes – this game has truly turned on its head.
Birmingham’s Klarer is booked after a strong tackle on McClean.
In a move which was more NFL than League One, he pursues McClean as the defender attempts an attack on the counter and pulls him back to the ground.
The cynical challenge is applauded by the home crowd.
The home team is on the fron foot. They’re getting as many bodies in the box as they can with each attack – there is growing confidence they can find their way through and clinch the lead.
The Wrexham defence struggle to clear the ball from the box. It is dealt with sloppily and eventually cleared – but only for a minute. May drives forward again and attempts a shot which is blocked once more.
The home team come again.
May drives forward and attempts a low shot from 20 yards out.
It loses its momentum in the box and is easily scooped up by Okonkwo.
The corner kick comes directly into the box this time, but is cleared by Palmer.
The ball falls just outside the box and the Birmingham players come again. Gardner-Hickman manages to get his head on the ball but his shot just fires over the goal.
The atmosphere has shifted at St. Andrew’s – the crowds are suddenly loud and up on their feet and the home side are on the front foot.
Cochrane drives forward and attempts a couple of powerful crosses. They are both blocked but Birmingham quickly comes again and the ball goes out for a corner.
In the past 10 minutes, Birmingham have had two shots, both on target, and the visitors have had zero.
Goal for Birmingham!
A powerful strike from Jay Stansfield equalises the score line for the home side. Game on.
Good build-up play after a strong cross into the box from Alfie May. Stansfield shoots from close range and his initial attempt is blocked by Okonkwo, who will be disappointed with his clearance which falls directly back into the striker’s path.
Stansfield makes no mistake with his second shot and drives it straight into the back of the net.
It’s all Wrexham at the moment.
They’re in control and look organised and confident on the ball.
Birmingham drive forward and try their best to break through Wrexham’s back-line.
They have two chances – a cross from the right which is headed straight out the box and a second cross from the left which flies wide.
A bit better from the home side.
Good play from Birmingham with their first set-piece of the match.
It’s a flawless routine from a corner kick – the ball is taken short, Cochrane makes a late run into the box and slots his effort just wide.
Their best moment and biggest chance so far.
A very scrappy start from Birmingham.
The visitors have started this game aggressively and have enjoyed most of the possession over the past 10 minutes as the home side try desperately to regain some control.
Wrexham attack on the counter again and drive towards the goal. It is swung in from the right by Barnett and connects with Palmer’s back, veering wide and eventually leading to a goal kick.
What a start for Wrexham.
Birmingham are trying to break back into this match which fell out of their control so quickly. They drive forward but struggle to infiltrate the visitor’s strong backline.
They lose possession to Wrexham once again, who drive forward with another aggressive press. The ball scrapes past the goal and is clumsily handled by Peacock-Farrell, who just about manages to clear it.
Goal!
The first corner of the match falls to Wrexham.
The ball curls neatly into the box and is initially pushed off the line by Peacock-Farrell. However it falls straight to the feet of Jack Marriott, who fires it into the back of the net.
A perfect start for the visitors.
We are underway at St. Andrew’s as both Birmingham City and Wrexham look to extend their unbeaten starts to the 2024-25 League One season.
The players are coming out and the atmosphere at St. Andrew’s is electric.
Fireworks have been set off and music is blaring around the stadium as the players make their way on to the pitch.
There are a range of star-studded faces in tonight’s sold-out crowd, including David Beckham and Tom Brady.
The top-of-the-table clash is about to get underway…
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the game, Tom Brady, former NFL player and an investor in Birmingham City, said: “You can feel the energy in the stadium.
“We’re excited. It’s going to be a great match. If you love football you should be watching this match tonight.”
He said he thinks there is “going to be a good rivalry between these two teams” and added he would love to see Birmingham “perform at their very best – and may the best team win”.
Birmingham City smashed the League One incoming transfer record this summer with the signing of Jay Stansfield from Fulham for around £15 million.
He will be the player the Wrexham defenders want to keep quiet tonight, with the centre-forward scoring 13 goals for Birmingham when he was on loan last season and winning the club’s player-of-the-season award.
He starts alongside Alfie May, a striker on fine form who scored in the clash with Wigan Athletic at the end of August.
Tomoki Iwata, another deadline day signing, makes his debut for Birmingham in midfield.
Wrexham’s starting XI is as expected, with one of their most important goal scorers, Paul Mullin, still sidelined with an injury. He has scored more than 100 goals for the club since joining in 2021.
Ollie Palmer and Jack Marriot start up front instead.
Tom Wagner, chairman of Birmingham City, has big plans for the third-tier club and cannot wait for the day they play Midlands rivals Aston Villa in the Premier League.
In a recent interview with Telegraph Sport’s John Percy, he delivered a compelling vision for the club this year and beyond.
Blockbuster events such as tonight’s ‘Hollywood derby’ are something Wagner hopes will become the norm.
You can read his full interview here.
Good evening and welcome to our live coverage as Birmingham City take on Wrexham at St. Andrew’s, with both teams looking to maintain their unbeaten starts to the League One season.
After securing promotion to the league in April, Wrexham have had a flying start to life in the third division and currently sit in first place after five matches with four wins and a draw.
Their opponents aren’t too far behind in sixth place – with a game in hand, they have won three and drawn one, most recently clinching a narrow 2-1 victory against Wigan Athletic.
Wrexham have ambitions for a third consecutive promotion, after rising from the National League to League One in the past two seasons. Since the club was bought by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in November 2020, its rise has been rapid.
Tonight’s event is rumoured to be star-studded, with the visitor’s owners reportedly flying over from the USA to watch their team in action. And they could be sat alongside Birmingham City investor Tom Brady who is due to visit the club for a third time.
The celebrity audience doesn’t end there – with David Beckham also expected to be in the crowd for tonight’s fixture.
It is one of the most highly-anticipated matches of the season – a clash which could see either side end the night top of the table as both hope to maintain their distance to the top promotion spots.
