Birmingham moved to within a point of the Championship play-off places after a fourth successive home victory, beating Watford 2-1 at St Andrew’s and ending the Hornets’ five-game unbeaten run away from Vicarage Road. The win lifted Chris Davies’ side to seventh, one point behind Bristol City.
Watford began on the front foot, with Thomas Ince curling an early effort that beat James Beadle’s dive but drifted just wide. Birmingham, however, looked the more threatening despite ceding plenty of possession. Both goalkeepers were busy in the opening stages: Beadle pushed a long-range Othmane Maamma attempt around the post, while Nathan Baxter produced a sharp stop to deny Phil Neumann after Jay Stansfield’s clever run from a set-piece.
Birmingham took the lead shortly after the half-hour mark when Paik Seung-Ho robbed Hector Kyprianou, took a couple of touches and unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box that flew past Baxter. Two minutes before half-time Demarai Gray doubled the advantage with a composed finish, cutting onto his right foot inside the area and picking out the top-right corner.
Watford improved after the break and created several openings. Marc Bola had a close-range attempt tipped over by Beadle, and later teed up Maamma, who rifled a low shot past the goalkeeper to reduce the deficit and give the visitors hope. Mamadou Doumbia forced another save from Beadle as Watford pushed for an equaliser, but Birmingham defended resolutely to preserve the lead and secure the three points.
Davies praised his team’s form and work-rate, highlighting Stansfield’s all-round contribution: he singled out the forward’s energy, intensity and defensive work in addition to his role in the second goal. Looking ahead, Davies said the club must take each match as it comes, with their next fixture away at Southampton.
Watford boss Javi Gracia acknowledged his side’s stronger second-half display but rued costly mistakes: he said Birmingham took their chances and that his young side are improving and will continue to develop as they seek better results for the supporters.