Birmingham City sent out a stark ‘Welcome to St Andrew’s’ message to not only Wrexham but the whole of League One as they came from behind in dazzling style to win the ‘Hollywood derby’.
Their £10m deadline day signing Jay Stansfield scored his first two goals since returning to the club and Tomoki Iwata netted on his English league debut as the expensively-refurbished Blues recovered from the shock of Jack Marriott’s early opener for Wrexham.
That was more than enough for Blues co-owner Tom Brady to claim the bragging rights over Hollywood A-lister Ryan Reynolds, who was back home in the United States but keeping in touch with events in England’s second city via his Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney.
In a noisy, near-capacity crowd of 27,980 that turned the stadium into a cauldron, England greats David Beckham and Gary Neville also braved the Birmingham traffic to be part of American football legend Brady’s entourage in a private box.
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Tom Brady and David Beckham both flew in to Birmingham for the game
And, just like the big television audience watching at home, they could not fail but to have been impressed by the way Chris Davies’ Blues turned potential defeat into such an impressive victory.
Promoted Wrexham remain top of League One – but they got a bit of a rude awakening as unbeaten Blues, relegated in May, handed Phil Parkinson’s side their first defeat – on a night marred only by home captain Krystian Bielik’s late red card.
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It was a dream start for Wrexham when they went in front from their first corner after just two minutes and 45 seconds.
Blues left-back Alex Cochrane lost his man from Eoghan O’Connell’s right-wing corner and Marriott was left unattended eight yards out to swivel and hit a right-foot half-volley, which was deflected into the roof of the net.
But Blues were level on 22 minutes when top scorer Alfie May tried his luck from the edge of the box with a powerful low shot, Wrexham keeper Arthur Okonkwo could only parry and Stansfield darted in to bury the rebound in the corner.
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Jack Marriott’s opener was his fourth goal of the season – and his third in as many games
Seven minutes into the second half, Blues’ comeback was complete when Cochrane atoned for his earlier lapse as he curled over a cross from the left and Stansfield found space at the far post to guide home a header past the leaden-footed Okonkwo.
A further seven minutes later, Blues were two goals clear when Paik Seung-ho fed Japanese midfielder Iwata, who fired home a low, swerving shot from 25 yards which found the bottom right corner.
It could have been more – but instead things heated up close to the centre circle when tempers flared after a coming-together between Cochrane and Wrexham substitute Paul Mullin.
That sparked a large brawl involving all 20 outfield players, clearly enjoyed by the watching Brady.
James McClean was to the fore, earning one of the five bookings dished out by referee Scott Oldham, which also included Bielik, Blues sub Keshi Anderson and Wrexham subs Mullin and Andy Cannon.
When Blues skipper Bielik then went in late on Cannon, he was sent off for a second yellow card.
But the damage was already done to well beaten Wrexham by a Blues side who go second, level with their opponents and also third-placed Charlton Athletic, all on 13 points.
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Five players were booked during the late melee
Who’s next?
Blues now head to Rotherham United on Saturday, when Wrexham host Crawley Town.
Birmingham City manager Chris Davies told BBC Radio WM:
“All the stuff around the game is good profile for the club and good for other people but, for me, this was no different to Rotherham away at the weekend.
“It was a very difficult start for us conceding so early, but full credit to the players for showing the character they did and behaving like it hadn’t even happened.
“We played some really good stuff and got into some good areas and Jay Stansfield got two poachers’ goals. The first was pure instinct following a rebound – but that’s what all the best finishers do and and full credit to Alex Cochrane for setting up his second.
“That third goal was so important, giving us that two-goal cushion. But Krystian will be annoyed with himself for getting sent off. We’ve got a good squad for a reason though – and it’s a chance for someone else to step into his place.”
