Football Apr 19, 2026

Birmingham City 2-0 Wrexham: Promotion hopes for Phil Parkinson's side fading following defeat at St Andrew's

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Birmingham City 2-0 Wrexham: Promotion hopes for Phil Parkinson's side fading following defeat at St Andrew's

Birmingham City cruised to a 2-0 win at St Andrew's to puncture Wrexham's hopes of a Championship play-off place.

Wrexham had the opportunity to move within two points of Hull City in sixth with a win but squandered the chance with a sloppy and lacklustre display against a Birmingham outfit who were short on form heading into the encounter.

Chris Davies' side had lost three games in a row but controlled the game from the first whistle to snap that streak, with Wrexham offering little in the form of a response.

Vicente came close to breaking the deadlock before half-time after pouncing on a loose ball and racing in behind the defence, only to be denied by one of Arthur Okonkwo's six saves.

The winger took just four minutes after the restart to atone for the miss, however, after racing across George Thomason at the back post to latch onto Kai Wagner's cross and plant his header into the top right corner.

An error from Okonkwo after failing to claim a corner then allowed Christoph Klarer to tap home a second from close range to secure the win for Birmingham, their first in over a month.

Back-to-back defeats for Wrexham, following a dismal 5-1 loss to fellow promotion hopefuls Southampton, mean a four-point gap now separates them from the top six with four games to go.

Birmingham's Chris Davies:

"It was one of our best performances of the season, one of our best wins. We were very aggressive, first to the ball and played quickly.

"I don't think they had a shot on goal. A thoroughly dominant performance, the players had a lot in them today and pushed hard.

"It's an unforgiving league so we have to stay humble. I like what I've seen in the spirit and fight."

"Do we need a big finish to the season to alleviate pressure? Possibly, I don't know. I have felt the pressure since the very first day. I am used to it. We go for every match."

Wrexham's Phil Parkinson:

"The first half was a competitive game. We expected them to go direct, but he [Chris Davies] changed how they played.

"We grew into it without taking care of our final pass. We were right in the game but the goals we conceded were so soft that it defined the game.

"We were right in the game in the first half. They were aggressive and went forward quickly. The goals have really hurt us today.

"I am never going to be critical of individuals; it is all about the team. They are just moments. In those two moments, it is really poor from our point of view.

"Goalscoring over the season hasn't been a problem; we have always been a threat. But today we didn't, in the second half we just couldn't find a way through.

"The game was defined in moments where, in defending, we should have done better.

"We are still in the mix. It's not over."

Tags:

football report

Share this article

Related Posts

Paul Merson: Chelsea's loss to Manchester City was 'cringeworthy' - they 'capitulate' under pressure

Paul Merson: Chelsea's loss to Manchester City was 'cringeworthy' - they 'capitulate' under pressure

Your Site' Paul Merson has labelled Chelsea "cringeworthy" after their limp 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester City.In his latest column, Merse believes...

Harry Maguire: Manchester United defender signs new one-year contract at Old Trafford

Harry Maguire: Manchester United defender signs new one-year contract at Old Trafford

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has signed a new one-year contract at Old Trafford, with the additional option of a further 12 months.The 33-...

Man Utd identify Mateus Fernandes as successor to captain Bruno - Paper Talk and football transfer gossip

Man Utd identify Mateus Fernandes as successor to captain Bruno - Paper Talk and football transfer gossip

The top stories and transfer rumours from Sunday's newspapers... Manchester United are set to explore options for a long-term successor to their skipp...

Gary Neville: Arsenal must balance emotion ahead of Man City showdown in the Premier League next Sunday

Gary Neville: Arsenal must balance emotion ahead of Man City showdown in the Premier League next Sunday

Gary Neville says Arsenal must balance their emotions ahead of a crucial Premier League title showdown with Manchester City next Sunday, live on Your...

Coventry promoted to Premier League: Frank Lampard's side back in top flight after 25 years after 1-1 draw at Blackburn

Coventry promoted to Premier League: Frank Lampard's side back in top flight after 25 years after 1-1 draw at Blackburn

Coventry sealed their return to the Premier League after 25 years away after a 1-1 draw at Blackburn.It looked as though the promotion party was going...

Tyrhys Dolan interview: Espanyol winger loving LaLiga after Blackburn move and now ready for Barcelona at Camp Nou

Tyrhys Dolan interview: Espanyol winger loving LaLiga after Blackburn move and now ready for Barcelona at Camp Nou

When Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford walk out as the Barcelona derby returns to Camp Nou on Saturday evening, there will be another winger looking to...