Birmingham City strike late double to deny Super Eagles star Etebo first taste of victory

Nigeria international Oghenekaro Etebo was on from start to finish but could do nothing to help Stoke City record their first league win of the campaign.

Prior to kick off, the Potters sat bottom of the Championship table having won zero games and losing four of their five matches. At the end of the game their stats still read: 0 wins, five losses, 6 games. And still rooted to the bottom of the table.

FT – Blues 2 (Jutkiewicz 73, Bellingham 76) Stoke City 1 (Lindsay 58)

Blues return to winning ways this afternoon! 🤩@SkyBetChamp | #BluesLIVE pic.twitter.com/K4T0gtzbK7

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) August 31, 2019

The first half ended in a stalemate with Stoke’s five man midfield wall shielding the team from the home’s attacks.

Just before the hour mark, Stoke scored, Scottish defender Liam Lindsay finding the net from close range.

Stoke City’s first victory of the season  appeared within reach.

But any hopes of such dreams were quickly extinguished when two quick-fire goals, the first in the 73rd minute and the second three minutes later, turned the tie around in favour of the hosts.

GOOAALLL – Blues 2 (Bellingham 76) Stoke City 1

Bellingham puts Blues ahead!

What. A. Moment. 😎@SkyBetChamp | #BluesLIVE pic.twitter.com/26uBGAGy15

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) August 31, 2019

Nigeria international Oghenekaro Etebo did not play badly in the encounter it was not just meant to be the Potters day.

The long balls from the defenders are so terrible. How we dropped Woods and kept Allen in is unfathomable. Etebo decent, so was Gregory, but no good on their own. Ince good once or twice, but then is nowhere.

We're bottom of the championship. I don't see how we turn this around

— David Williams (@davidwilliams83) August 31, 2019

The result leaves Stoke City with just a point out of a maximum of 18 and in need of redemption soon.