Hannibal Mejbri stole the present as his aim and help earned Birmingham a 2-0 win over West Brom – to earn the Blues their first house win in 2023.
The on-loan Manchester United midfielder took simply 10 minutes to place his aspect in entrance in sensational style, curling a large free-kick in from 35 yards out, deceiving West Brom goalkeeper David Button by pretending to go for a cross.
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Manchester United loanee Hannibal Mejbri scored an excellent free-kick for Birmingham, utterly catching out West Brom keeper, David Button.
Mejbri then curled in a beautiful nook for Krystian Bielik to move house, with the Blues midfielder beating Button to the ball.
The victory for the Blues strikes them inside six factors of the play-off spots going into Saturday’s motion – with John Eustace’s aspect now 10 factors above the relegation zone.
In the meantime, West Brom – who celebrated supervisor Carlos Corberan’s new contract in midweek following hypothesis over a transfer to Leeds – missed the possibility to maneuver as much as fifth.
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Krystian Bielik bought on the top of an excellent nook from Hannibal Mejbri to move in his first aim for Birmingham.
Birmingham followers marched from the town centre to St Andrew’s as protests towards house owners Birmingham Sports activities Holdings continued however they have been no less than given an early aim to ease their anger.
The hosts have been shiny and, when Lukas Jutkiewicz cleverly purchased a free-kick off Conor Townsend 30 yards out on the fitting after 10 minutes, Hannibal took cost.
Button was anticipating him to swing it right into a crowded space however as a substitute, the 20-year-old embarrassed the goalkeeper by curling across the one-man wall to seek out the underside nook.
Mejbri celebrates after scoring the primary aim
First to the whole lot, the Blues rattled Albion however have been initially unable to construct on their lead, though Button needed to flip Tahith Chong’s fierce drive behind.
The Baggies struggled to match Birmingham’s depth and, whereas Daryl Dike briefly gave the hosts trigger for concern when he charged down John Ruddy’s clearance, they have been second finest.
Marc Albrighton’s shot deflected huge however was by no means troubling Ruddy and there was no zip from a aspect who had gained 11 of their earlier 16 video games.
Bielik celebrates scoring Birmingham’s second aim
Corberan seemed agitated on the bench and his temper would have solely darkened seven minutes after the break.
Albion conceded an inexpensive nook and Hannibal’s supply was missed by a flapping Button for Bielik to nod in.
Ruddy turned John Swift’s drive behind because the Baggies tried to reply however there was no method again.
Participant of the match: Hannibal Mejbri
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Hannibal: I am certain Erik ten Hag has Sky
Birmingham midfielder Hannibal Mejbri talking to Sky Sports activities Soccer:
“It was an awesome sport first, a superb derby. I had the possibility to attain and I am very blissful. The environment was very nice, I simply need to benefit from the second.
“There was no message [to shoot for the free-kick], the one message was in my head. I noticed the goalkeeper was too excessive so I acted like I used to be going to cross so I shot.
“We’re an enormous household. When somebody wants assist, we’re at all times there. When issues get laborious, we stick collectively.
“I am certain [Erik ten Hag] has Sky, however I simply have to focus till the top of the season and we’ll see what occurs in the summertime.”
What’s next?
Each groups are again in midweek Championship motion, with Birmingham having one other house sport, this time towards Cardiff.
West Brom, in the meantime, host Blackburn Rovers in an enormous sport within the play-off competition race.
Each video games may be watched on the Sky Sports activities Soccer Pink Button.
