Bright Osayi Samuel delivered an impressive all round display as Birmingham City secured a 2-1 away win over Norwich City in their Sky Bet Championship clash.
Birmingham made a fast start and created the first opportunity inside the opening minute when Carlos Vicente tested goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic. The visitors did not have to wait long to take the lead. In the fifth minute, Osayi Samuel surged forward from right back and set up Vicente, who drove into the box and squeezed his effort underneath the advancing Norwich goalkeeper to put Birmingham ahead.
The away side continued to threaten and almost doubled their advantage when August Priske attempted an acrobatic effort that Kovacevic pushed over the crossbar. Birmingham soon found their second goal as Marvin Ducksch finished from close range after Priske’s ball was played across the face of goal, giving the visitors firm control of the contest.
Norwich responded with renewed urgency. Mohamed Toure came close after being picked out by Kenny McLean, but his acrobatic attempt was tipped over by James Beadle. Early in the second half, Beadle was again called into action to deny Toure and Kellen Fisher in quick succession. Toure later struck the outside of the post after latching onto a pass from Ali Ahmed, as the hosts pushed to get back into the game.
The pressure eventually paid off when McLean fired a powerful shot into the top corner to reduce the deficit. Despite a strong finish from Norwich, Birmingham held their shape and defended resolutely to secure all three points. The result lifts Birmingham to seventh place on 59 points, just two points outside the play off positions, and extends their unbeaten league run since New Year’s Day to eight matches, with five wins and three draws.
Bright Osayi Samuel played 79 minutes before being replaced by Ethan Laird. He recorded three recoveries, completed 14 of his 21 passes and had 50 touches, capping his performance with a crucial assist that set the tone for Birmingham’s important away victory.
