Match Blog | Birmingham City 0-4 Cardiff City
#CityAsOne
We can't leave you for the afternoon without sharing Harry Wilson celebrating his hat-trick goal with the lads.
FULL TIME: BIRMINGHAM CITY 0-4 CARDIFF CITY
You won't see a better hat-trick than that this weekend. Harry Wilson the absolute star of the show, netting three brilliant goals away from home. Absolutely great finish from Mark Harris too. A fine afternoon for Bluebirds everywhere.
THREE MINS ADDED - HARRIS DENIED
90' - Three mins added on. City have this one in the bag. Mark Harris is denied his second goal of the game though, netting but the offside flag is up.
CITY CHANGE - HARRY REPLACED
87' - The whole stadium would've given Harry Wilson a standing ovation in normal circumstances. Beautiful display. He's replaced by fellow Welsh international Jonny Williams.
GOAL!!! HAT-TRICK HARRY!!!
86' - You wait for one Harry Wilson belter of a free kick all season - and two come in a single game! Incredible set piece from Wilson to hit the top corner. Delightful performance from him and City this afternoon. Outstanding player!
YELLOW CARD
84' - Didn't take Harlee Dean long to go into the book. The defender cautioned for a poor challenge on Harry Wilson.
CELEBRATION SHOT
Mark Harris celebrates adding the third goal away from home. Also his third Sky Bet Championship goal of the campaign. Playing well, looking sharp.
BIRMINGHAM CHANGES
79' - Gary Gardner and Harlee Dean replace Ivan Šunjić and Marc Roberts.
BIRMINGHAM CHANGE
74' - Jonathan Leko is replaced by loanee Riley McGree.
GOAL!!! SPARKY!!!
68' - That's is a lovely finish! Mark Harris has been so lively since coming on at the break, and he gets a deserved goal! 20-yards out, he lashes the ball low into the back of the net. City three ahead and having fun!
JOSH MURPHY IS ON
64' - Another fine outing for Bluebirds Academy graduate Rubin Colwill, who is replaced by Josh Murphy for the final 25+ minutes.
BIRMINGHAM SUBSTITUTIONS
62' - The hosts make a double change. Nico Gordon & Iván Sánchez, who scored a great goal at CCS last year, replace Josh Dacres-Cogley & Rekeem Harper.
The image isn't related to the changes - it's Harry Wilson celebrating his brilliant second goal.
HARRY'S SECOND
It's been all action since this second half began. We haven't had a chance yet to share this picture of Harry Wilson burying his free kick just before the interval. He's been great so far this afternoon.
SO CLOSE
51' - Rubin Colwill probably should have his first Cardiff City goal. Great from Harry Wilson again. The pressing doesn't stop! Wilson feeds Colwill, who is denied by goalkeeper Zach Jeacock at close range. Next time, Rubin!
PENALTY SHOUT - HARRIS SHOT
49' - Good start to the second half from Mick's side. There are shouts of handball against Amari Miller in the box, but nothing is given. Seconds later, substitute Mark Harris sees a snapshot tipped away by Zach Jeacock.
BACK UNDERWAY - HALF-TIME CHANGE
46' - We are back underway. The Bluebirds make a change at the interval, Mark Harris replaces Kieffer Moore for the second half. More of the same this 45, City!
HALF-TIME: BIRMINGHAM CITY 0-2 CARDIFF CITY
So far, so good for Mick McCarthy's men. Harry Wilson with a couple of moments of real quality to give City a two-goal advantage at the interval.
HARRY WANTS A HAT-TRICK
45' - Harry Wilson goes for his and City's third but he drags a shot wide from 25-yards. Great showing from the Welsh international so far. Two minutes added on at the end of the first half.
GOAL!!! WILSON IS ON FIRE!!!
40' - We have our Harry Wilson free kick goal!!! He bends it around the wall, and into the far corner. Lovely set piece from Wilson to double City's lead, and his tally for the afternoon!
WILSON GOES CLOSE
38' - Nearly a beautiful second goal for the Bluebirds. Joe Ralls finds Ciaron Brown with a smart pass. Brown then floats a lovely pass through to Harry Wilson, who takes a touch before volleying at goal. It's a fine stop from Zach Jeacock that just keeps the effort out.
HUGE CHANCE FOR BIRMINGHAM
35' - Big chance for the hosts. Ivan Šunjić found just outside the box, centre of the goal, but he drags the shot wide. The midfielder should've hit the target and threatened City's lead.
BIRMINGHAM FIRE WIDE
28' - Left-back Steve Seddon tries his luck from 25-yards, but he fails to hit the target.
KIEFFER RECEIVES TREATMENT
23' - A delay in play as Kieffer Moore receives some treatment from the City physio following a head injury. He's back on shortly after, thankfully.
CELEBRATION PIC
A cool celebration from Harry Wilson after giving City the advantage away from home. Just over 21 minutes gone now. Still one-ahead with the ball spending a lot of time in midfield.
GOAL!!! CITY LEAD!!! (0-1)
9' - Harry Wilson with an absolute stunner from distance! A beautiful finish to make the most of a poor pass in defence, straight into the top corner! City ahead!
EARLY CORNERS
2' - Marlon Pack appears to be lining up in the heart of defence in the Midlands. He's defending straight away as this young Birmingham side have two quick corners early in the match, but the Bluebirds cover well and get it clear.
5-2-3 for City from the start. Ciaron Brown at left-wing back. Pack in defence with Curtis Nelson and Aden Flint. Joe Ralls and Leandro Bacuna as a midfield two.
KICK-OFF
1' - We are underway in the Midlands. Come on you Bluebirds!
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PRE-MATCH PRESS | MICK
Watch the Gaffer's pre-match press conference in full now. Mick discusses Birmingham City, the squad and current injuries as well as Will Vaulks and Sean Morrison's recent EFL accolades.
"It's never a dead rubber. I'm not having that; I don't subscribe to that theory at all. There is always something to play for. You're playing for your pride, your shirt, your fans. Birmingham have had an unbelievable run too.
"They won't want to suddenly drop off now. They'll want to continue that run. They'll want to win - and they've been excellent. They have been fighting. I went to watch them at Brentford, and they had a great performance there, and we've watched them since.
"They've played very well, but what they have been doing is scrapping. I don't think that's going to stop and it won't stop with us, either.”
BIRMINGHAM CITY FC TEAM NEWS
Our hosts for the afternoon line-up as follows: Jeacock, Roberts (C), Friend, Leko, Cosgrove, Harper, Dacres-Cogley, Šunjić, Miller, Seddon, Stirk.
Subs: Trueman, Pedersen, Jutkiewicz, Bela, Dean, Sánchez, McGree, Gardner, Gordon.
No second reunion of the season for former City 'keeper Neil Etheridge, who isn't included in Lee Bowyer's squad. Teenage goalkeeper Zach Jeacock is selected in goal for the game.
CARDIFF CITY FC TEAM NEWS
The team is in. As the boss spoke about in his pre-match press conference, City are struggling with injuries, with Sean Morrison, Jordi Osei-Tutu and Max Watters missing out from the last matchday squad.
Aden Flint captains the side - with Dillion Phillips returning in goal, Rubin Colwill retaining his spot and Harry Wilson & Leandro Bacuna also starting.
Three Academy prospects on the bench this afternoon, with Sam Bowen, Isaak Davies and Kieron Evans called into the 19-man squad.
Come on City!
OUR LAST MEETING | HIGHLIGHTS - CARDIFF CITY 3-2 BIRMINGHAM CITY
Welcome to your live Birmingham City vs. Cardiff City match blog!
We'll keep you fully updated regarding the goings on in the Midlands as Mick McCarthy's side face the Blues in their final away match of the 2020/21 campaign.
Alternatively, watch the game yourself! There is still plenty of time to purchase a Cardiff City TV match pass for this fixture. Click here for full details!
Team news will follow at 2pm!
