Match Report: Birmingham City 1-1 Cardiff City
Cardiff City were held to a draw against Birmingham City on Saturday afternoon, coming from behind to secure a point at St Andrew's.
Blues took an early lead through Jude Bellingham, who tapped in at the far post from a corner-kick that had been flicked on by Jérémie Bela.
With the deadlock broken, the hosts continued their offensive against the Bluebirds, whipping several crosses into City's area
Bela struck the woodwork from 20 yards out with 18 minutes played, as the hosts continued to apply pressure on City with a series of attacking movements.
Alex Smithies made a terrific save on the half hour mark to deny Bellingham his second of the afternoon, using his body well in a one-on-one situation.
Shortly afterwards, Danny Ward was replaced by Callum Paterson, as City's number 23 was unable to continue following an injury sustained earlier in the match.
When in possession, the Bluebirds looked to make their mark with some good passing on their part, but could not convert inside the final third, Leandro Bacuna's blocked strike from the edge of Blues' box being City's biggest chance before the interval.
Following the break, City chased an equaliser from the off, as Lee Tomlin beat 'keeper Lee Camp from close distance, but was deemed offside in the buildup by the linesman.
City tested Camp yet again from a corner kick moments later, but the Northern Ireland international caught the cross under pressure.
The visitors maintained their pressure on Blues beyond the opening minutes of the second half, and calls for a penalty kick were waved away as Tomlin went down inside the area.
The playmaker equalised for the visitors in the 63rd minute as he headed in at the near post from Marlon Pack's well-placed corner kick.
Not letting up when in possession, the Bluebirds continued their offensive while putting the flanks to good use. Gavin Whyte utilised his pace to surge down the right wing before crossing into Blues' area, while a similar move resulted in Tomlin's shot from outside the area flying narrowly wide of the mark later on.
On the other end, Smithies made yet another great save with ten minutes to go, denying Lukas Jutkiewicz's header, tipping wide then punching clear from the corner kick that followed.
With four minutes of injury time played out, the Bluebirds were made to settle for a point against Blues on the road.
FINAL SCORE: BIRMINGHAM CITY 1-1 CARDIFF CITY
Birmingham City: Camp, Pedersen, Roberts, Colin, Crowley, Jutkiewicz, Bela, Clarke-Salter, Mrabti, Bellingham, Šunjić. Subs not used: Trueman, Montero, McEachran, Maghoma, Gardner, Giménez, Davis.
Cardiff City: Smithies, Bennett, Morrison, Bacuna, Pack, Nelson, Tomlin (Glatzel 90'), Whyte, Richards, Ward (Paterson 31'), Hoilett (Ralls 83'). Subs not used: Etheridge, Flint, Vaulks, Murphy.
