Birmingham City 2-1 Middlesbrough: Bailey heroics give Blues deserved win

Teenager Odin Bailey scored his first Birmingham City goal to secure a deserved 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough in a dramatic finish at St Andrew’s on Friday.

Birmingham dominated Boro, who have struggled under new boss Jonathan Woodgate this season, but the home side briefly looked set to be punished for failing to extend their first-half lead.

Fran Villalba rifled home just after the half-hour mark, yet chances came and went either side of that strike as the Blues worked Darren Randolph time and again, as well as striking the woodwork.

Boro had scarcely threatened all evening but equalised with just three minutes remaining as captain Daniel Ayala bundled in Britt Assombalonga’s cross.

There was still time for another late twist, though, and Bailey nodded past Randolph to consign miserable Boro to a third defeat in four matches, leaving them just four points clear of the relegation zone.

FT – Blues 2 (Villalba 33, Bailey 90) Boro 1 (Ayala 87)

WHAT. A. WIN! @SkyBetChamp | #BluesLIVE pic.twitter.com/J4hSs0z9LG

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) October 4, 2019