Birmingham vs Coventry

Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Birmingham and Coventry at St Andrews as the Blues and the Sky Blues played out ...

In the first half we were under a lot of pressure and we didn't start well, although a lot of their chances were from distance. I've seen it subsequently and it looked like to me like (Hannibal) Mejbri grabbed hold of his legs and rolled and you can't really see what happened. Birmingham's John Eustace: "In the first half we certainly had the best chance with Bacuna and he should have put that away. I didn't see it at the time. Allen was next to try his luck and his rising left-footed drive from the edge of the box was centimetres away as Coventry dominated. Coventry forced seven attempts - four of them from Hamer - in the first 24 minutes and 12 in the first half, while Birmingham goalkeeper John Ruddy had to make three saves.

The Sky Blues came away with their third draw of the season after a feisty Midlands derby at St Andrew's.

Calm and composed in possession and lifted a decent attempt narrowly over the bar as he waded in on City’s impressive early game shot count of nine in the first 30-odd minutes. Tried his luck from distance three times and hit a volley that dipped over the bar from a recycled corner in the opening 22 minutes as the Dutch playmaker made his presence felt in the game with a shoot on sight policy. Scampered about in the final third making a nuisance of himself and put a gilt-edged shot narrowly wide of the target. Good shift but lacked opportunities in and around the box and replaced by Walker for the last 13 minutes. Found lots of pockets of space as City had the better of the first half. Had a quieter second half as City sat deep and soaked up mounting home pressure. Dropped to the deck injured in the 58th minute but managed to carry on after treatment. Jamie Allen was then denied by a good save from the goalkeeper John Ruddy at the other end after good work from Fankaty Dabo allowed him space to shoot hard and low. Good signs of getting back to form after a difficult few weeks. Great save at the end to secure City's point to deny Trusty. But the second half quickly deteriorated into a scrappy and feisty affair with both sides lacking attacking nous and cancelling each other out. Made an excellent save to deny a header from Hogan early in the second half.

Birmingham City had to settle for a point and a clean sheet in their 0-0 draw with Coventry City.

Broke up play a couple of times in the first half but like the rest of the midfield he looked a little off colour. He did enough to keep the Sky Blues at bay in the first half and produced a superb cross for Jutkiewicz near the end. No service in front of goal in the first 45 though. The pick of the three central defenders, if there was a block or clearance to be made it was usually the American who was making it. Moved back on to the right and it definitely seems a more natural fit. Barely the player he had been at Albion in midweek. Soon after that Jordan Graham raced on to a free ball in the penalty area but slashed at it and hit it way over. Deployed on the right of the three and often found himself aerially targeted by Coventry. Blues' best player in the first half as Coventry aimed long range shots at his goal. The striker made a decent headed contact but again, it was too close to Wilson. He did get a reaction out of Hamer though, one that saw the Dutchman red carded for kicking out. Midweek service looked as though it had been resumed after just eight minutes when Tahith Chong got down the left and sent in a perfect cross for the onrushing Juninho Bacuna.