Bright Osayi-Samuel delivered an impressive performance as Birmingham City beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 in the West Midlands derby at The Hawthorns.
August Priske scored the decisive penalty to give Birmingham all three points. The victory also lifted Blues above their local rivals in the Championship table.
Birmingham started brightly and created the first clear chance inside six minutes. Alex Cochrane delivered an in swinging corner from the right after a recycled throw in, and Phil Neumann headed the ball across goal for Jay Stansfield.
However, West Brom goalkeeper Max O’Leary reacted quickly and stretched out a leg to deny Stansfield from close range.
The hosts responded immediately through Rabby Nzingoula. He tried to pick out Jimmy Jay Morgan, but the ball bounced into the path of Aune Heggebo, whose volley struck the post.
The game soon developed into an open contest, with both sides creating opportunities. West Brom missed another chance when Jhon Solis found himself in space at the penalty spot after a poor defensive header, but he failed to connect properly.
Birmingham also escaped punishment when Cochrane inadvertently headed the ball across his own goal. Felix Horn Myhre had a free header from eight yards but sent his effort over the crossbar.
Priske penalty settles the derby as Osayi-Samuel impresses
Birmingham broke the deadlock four minutes before half time. West Brom defender Nat Phillips pulled Priske inside the penalty area, and the referee awarded a spot kick. Priske stepped up and confidently converted from 12 yards.
Blues nearly doubled their lead before the break when Neumann met a cross at the far post. However, O’Leary produced an excellent save to keep West Brom in the game.
Solis had another opportunity shortly after half time. He met Cochrane’s corner from six yards, but Phillips, Callum Styles and Brayann Pereira combined to block his goal bound effort.
West Brom struggled to create clear chances during the opening 20 minutes of the second half. Centre back Chris Mepham later broke into the penalty area between Stansfield and Osayi Samuel, but Birmingham goalkeeper James Beadle came off his line to make the save.
Birmingham remained the more threatening side in the closing stages. Stansfield and substitute Demarai Gray both missed chances to put the result beyond doubt, but Blues held on for their third league win of the season.
All three victories have come away from home, underlining Birmingham’s strength on the road.
Osayi-Samuel was a key figure throughout the match. The Nigeria international defended with confidence at right back and offered Birmingham an outlet going forward, particularly in the first half.
His physical strength and defensive discipline stood out as he completed the full 90 minutes. He recorded 11 recoveries, won five of his nine ground duels and succeeded with every tackle he attempted.
The full back also made three clearances and registered 68 touches, with a pass accuracy of 76 per cent.
His performance helped Birmingham secure a valuable derby victory and move above West Brom in the Championship standings.
