Late Christmas gifts were the order of the day on Rovers’ final home game of 2019 as the hosts and Birmingham City saw their Boxing Day clash turn into a ‘tale of two penalties’, as both sides converted their respective spot-kicks in order to end the second of three meetings between the teams this season, with this one ending as a 1-1 draw.
Life without Bradley Dack – who was confirmed after the match by gaffer Tony Mowbray, to have picked up an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during the draw with Wigan Athletic on Monday night – began for Rovers with six changes from the aforementioned stalemate with the relegation-threatened Latics. Former Blues trainee Amari’i Bell came back into the side along with Bradley Johnson, John Buckley, Elliott Bennett (who captained the side on his 150th league appearance for the club), Lewis Holtby and Sam Gallagher, as Corry Evans, Bradley Dack, Stewart Downing, Lewis Travis, Joe Rothwell and Danny Graham all made way, with the latter quartet making the bench whilst Evans – alongside Dack – was ruled out following a niggle he picked up on Monday. There was another milestone on the cards as Ryan Nyambe, who started at right-back for the home side, made his 100th senior Rovers start, despite only recently turning 22.
Just prior to kick-off, with it being the final home game Rovers would play at Ewood Park for the calendar year, a period of applause was taken to remember those connected with, and loved by the club and its supporters, who had sadly passed away during 2019.
With the festive cheer still evident around Ewood Park after the applause was observed, despite the adverse weather, the 1,463 Bluenoses who made their way up to Lancashire were hoping – as their side kicked-off the game – that they could extend their successful streak over Rovers, with the home side not tasting victory against the visitors in their last five league matches, with the last Rovers win coming in March 2016 at a 2-0 scoreline, under former manager Paul Lambert with the goals coming from former loanee Tony Watt and current fan favourite Danny Graham. Despite that stat falling in their favour, Birmingham hadn’t completed a league double over Rovers since 1950-51, so they came to Ewood Park full of hope, rather than expectation, given Rovers’ recent run of form and the fact Birmingham were looking to bounce back from a 3-0 defeat away at Hull City on the weekend.
The first 14 minutes of the game was as dull as the weather, with nothing to scream and shout about for either team, other than the fact Rovers had a corner after seven minutes, which Birmingham were easily able to clear through captain, Harlee Dean.
The 15th minute brought the first real opportunity at goal which came the way of the visitors’ Jacques Maghoma. Gary Gardner chipped a ball into the Congolese’s path, as he burst into the penalty area, however Darragh Lenihan did enough to tighten the angle and forced the midfielder’s effort wide for a goal-kick.
Rovers managed to regain possession in the centre of midfield following a Christian Walton goal-kick, in the 18th minute which saw John Buckley and Bradley Johnson play a one-two before the former hooked the ball over the top of the high Birmingham defence in order to play Sam Gallagher in. The one-time Birmingham loanee was quick enough to keep the ball under his spell, as he touched it inside, but his subsequent half-volley with his left-foot spiralled off-target, despite having multiple passing options available to him.
Four minutes later, Kerim Mrabti was able to burst forward on the counter-attack as former Burnley forward Lukas Jutkiewicz played the Swedish international in, from inside his own half. Mrabti was able to use his pace to blitz into the gaping Rovers half as he moved into the penalty area with only Darragh Lenihan and Christian Walton for company. As the Swede edged closer towards goal, Lenihan did brilliantly to get back level with the winger, before Mrabti managed to get his shot away from a tight angle. Luckily for Rovers however, Walton was more alert than his defenders, as he got out quick and stood up tall as he managed to force the shot behind for a corner with a sound save.
From that corner, Rovers managed to regain possession of the ball through Adam Armstrong who burst down the wing in an attempt to counter. Mrabti however was on-hand to disrupt the inside forward’s flow, as the Swede took out Armstrong and put a stop to the counter at the expense of a 23rd minute booking.
Maghoma again found his way through on the 31st minute as Jutkiewicz slid the Congolese in on goal. John Buckley’s hesitancy nearly caused Rovers some problems after the veteran forward dispossessed the youngster before playing Birmingham’s number 19 in. Maghoma again was faced with the task of facing up against Lenihan and again Lenihan emerged the victor, as Maghoma slipped and tripped over his own feet, as the ball fizzed behind for a goal-kick.
Rovers’ best chance of the half came after 32 minutes when a trio of chances popped up for Rovers, with Buckley having the best of the bunch. Lewis Holtby was slipped in and his low cross nearly saw Blues skipper Dean poke the ball into his own net, but for a fantastic reflex stop by his own goalie. Birmingham failed to clear, as Johnson’s rebound was blocked into the path of Buckley, whose snapshot trickled safely into City’s ‘keeper Connal Trueman’s gloves.
Birmingham soon went up the other end and had a corner, moments later. The set-piece, which was delivered at waist-height, was flicked on at the near-post via a backheel, onto the head of Jutkiewicz, who somehow managed to head over from only a few yards out.
On the 37th minute, a swift counter by Rovers saw Buckley combine with Sam Gallagher, with the former slipping the latter through. The former City forward controlled the ball well on the half-turn to turn his man before trying his luck with a low drive from the top of the box. Unfortunately, the forward couldn’t break his Ewood Park duck or the game’s deadlock, as his effort edged past the post and went behind for a goal-kick.
Moments later, Buckley again was providing for the forwards ahead of him as he played Armstrong through down the left as he broke in behind Birmingham’s fragile-looking defence. Buckley’s chipped through ball saw Armstrong take the ball into his stride as he burst through on goal away from his nearest opponent. The finish, however didn’t match the quality of the build-up, as his shot deflected behind for a corner, which Birmingham dealt with.
On the 41st minute, Armstrong again tried his luck after he was given the ball by Johnson. Armstrong did well to hold his marker off, from around 25-yards out, as he tried an effort after swivelling to face the goal. The idea and execution were good, but not enough to beat Trueman who did well to spring down to his right-hand side and deny Rovers the breakthrough.
As half-time approached, referee Robert Jones allocated one extra minute to the end of the half, which bore no game-changing chances, as the official soon called for the break.
Neither manager would have been overly pleased with how their side had played during the first-half, despite the handful of chances that both sides had throughout the first period.
Rovers boss Tony Mowbray would have been frustrated that, despite his side’s chances, they were unable to convert despite the five efforts they had during the first 45 minutes. Whilst some could argue that Buckley should have converted his chance from close-range considering he was nigh-on unmarked at the time of his shot, the boss would have equally been pleased that his side had come into the break with a clean sheet, given the glaring opportunity that Mowbray’s former forward at Middlesbrough, Jutkiewicz had had from Birmingham’s corner. The gaffer would have been quick to offer encouragement to his players, whilst also demanding for a little bit more quality in the final third, in order to break down a side that had not managed to keep a league clean sheet since the corresponding fixture in the Midlands in October, against Rovers, 10 games ago.
Visiting boss, Pep Clotet would have had an equal reaction to that of the hosting gaffer. He would have been pleased that his side had managed to keep a potent Rovers side out who, despite missing Bradley Dack, had the quality to unlock defences. Additionally, the manager would have been slightly frustrated that his side didn’t come into the break with the lead, despite Rovers’ recent good run of home clean sheets. In looking towards the second-half, the Spaniard would have been giving his players the same message he did, at 2:30pm, given the game was up for grabs.
Once the players reappeared for the second-half, it was Rovers who were given the kick-off orders. The Blues, who were eager to extend their unbeaten run to eight, were hoping that they could pick up the much-coveted win that would have put them within touching distance of the playoffs. Additionally, if Rovers managed to come out on top, they would have been victorious on Boxing Day for only the second time in the past 11 league matches on the day, (W1 D4 L5), with their only other festive victory being during the League One promotion campaign, in the 2-0 victory over Rochdale, at Ewood Park.
Much like at the start of the first-half, Birmingham started off the second-half with the period’s first chance falling to them. A Blues free-kick dropped invitingly for Jutkiewicz whose tried his luck from just outside the box, however Walton was equal to his efforts as he comfortably saved the forward’s strike.
The 48th minute saw Jérémie Bela break through behind Ryan Nyambe and close down on goal. Whilst Nyambe caught up to the winger and Lenihan was there to slide in for a block, the visiting winger decided a snapshot would be the best option. Despite his quick effort, Walton was again alert to avert the danger with a good save.
The game soon livened up in the 54th minute as Rovers were offered the opportunity to take the lead, courtesy of a Christmas gift of a penalty from referee Robert Jones, after City defender Wes Harding had taken down Sam Gallagher. Despite the initial contact starting outside the penalty area, the tackle continued into the box, which forced the official’s hand to award Rovers their third spot-kick of the league campaign. With usual suspects Charlie Mulgrew, Bradley Dack or Danny Graham absent, the onus for the spot-kick fell onto Adam Armstrong, who had to deal with a delay before the officials confirmed their decision. Despite the slightly extended delay, Armstrong kept his nerve to coolly slot home his sixth goal of the season into the bottom-left corner of the goal past Trueman, to put Rovers 1-0 ahead.
Straight from the kick-off, Birmingham powered forward and Mrabti tried his luck from close-range, but Lenihan was on hand, in the 57th minute to deny the Swede the quick-fire equaliser.
On the hour mark, Bradley Johnson became the first Rovers name to go into the book after he took out Bela on halfway.
Less than a minute later, the Birmingham pressure soon paid off as the Christmas gifts kept on coming at Ewood after Mr. Jones the official levelled the penalties up at one apiece following an apparent trip by Amari’i Bell on Jacques Maghoma. Following a poor headed clearance by Bell which saw Maghoma regain possession, the full-back stuck out an inviting trailing leg which saw Maghoma flop over, leaving the official with no choice but to point to the spot. Mrabti was the chosen one among the visiting ranks and he confidently stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner to equalise the scoreline at 1-1 and grab his first of the season.
On the 70th minute, Ryan Nyambe became the second Rovers player to be booked after a foul on halfway. That proved to be Nyambe’s last act of the game as two minutes later, he was hauled off after picking up and injury and was replaced by Lewis Travis, who tucked into midfield, with Elliott Bennett moving back to right-back.
Three minutes later, Lewis Holtby was fouled on the edge of the area before dusting himself down and picking himself up to take the set-piece himself. Although the whole of the Blackburn End was anticipating the net to bulge and Holtby to wheel away in celebration of his second Rovers goal, the German couldn’t get the ball up and down quick enough, as it bobbled onto the roof of the net.
On the 76th minute, Gary Gardner became the first City player to be booked for dissent after throwing the ball away petulantly.
City soon made their first change of the afternoon a minute later as 16-year old sensation Jude Bellingham was introduced in-place of Jérémie Bela.
Rovers soon reacted at the next stoppage on the 81st minute with a double change as Danny Graham and Joe Rothwell were thrown on, as they replaced John Buckley and Lewis Holtby respectively, as Rovers shuffled to a two up-top formation.
Elliott Bennett soon became the latest player to receive a booking on the 82nd minute after he brought down Bellingham.
Just prior to the set-piece, Birmingham made their second substitution as Álvaro Giménez was brought on, replacing the goalscorer Kerim Mrabti.
Kristian Pedersen soon brought down Bennett which gave Rovers a chance to hoist a ball into the box from a set-piece on the 85th minute. The set-piece saw the ball cleared, only as far as Lewis Travis who was fouled on the left-wing.
As Rovers prepared to take the free-kick, the play was halted to make way for Birmingham’s final change of the game. Ivan Šunjić was the lucky candidate to get a runout during the final few moments of the game, as he replaced Jacques Maghoma for the Blues.
The aforementioned set-piece was soon taken short by Rothwell to Bell, who played a one-two with the substitute to set-up a striking opportunity for Rothwell. The low drive that Rothwell had, however, didn’t cause Trueman much trouble as he got down to his right well enough to keep the score level.
With the result hanging in the balance, referee Robert Jones called for an additional six minutes of added time which perked up the home crowd as they looked to urge their team on to find a coveted late winner that would put them within touching distance of the playoff spot.
That chance nearly came via the last chance of the match as on the 93rd minute, Derrick Williams came agonisingly close to netting the winner for the home side. A Joe Rothwell corner was stood up in the box and Williams was the highest in Blue and White halves to leap for it. Although the defender connected well to the cross, his nod was inches above where he wanted it to be as it cannoned off the crossbar and went behind for a goal-kick.
Williams’ header did prove to be the last action of the game as both sides had to settle for a draw, after Mr. Jones called time on a game that reflected the weather in the sky more than the form in the record books.
Whilst the game didn’t pull up any trees in terms of outstanding performances or results – unlike in grounds around the league where drama and goals were gift-wrapped – there was a sense of dominance on Rovers’ part, up until the penalty converted by Mrabti. Whilst Birmingham were able to break away on several occasions, Rovers’ control over the ball was much more effective when comparing it with Monday night’s game against Wigan Athletic, which was littered with nervous, misplaces passes. One thing which was blatantly obvious however, was the tepid attacking prowess of Rovers without Bradley Dack in the side, something that will have to be addressed quickly, given the talisman’s prolonged absence away from the side.
Despite only taking two points from a possible six in Rovers’ final two home games of 2019, there remains a positive spin on the fact that Mowbray’s men have managed to extend their unbeaten run to eight games whilst also remain within clear sight of the playoff places. The main priority looking forward for the gaffer and the team is that they need to avoid a ‘post-Brentford 2018/19 calamity’ – *touch wood* – heading into 2020. If Mowbray continues his astute business in the transfer window in order to replace the goals that Dack brought – not necessarily the position itself – alongside a couple of other roles, then Rovers could be entering the second part of the season in a positive manner, despite the obvious absence of soon-to-be 26-year old Bradley Dack.
Although the draw kept the unbeaten run going, the loss of two extra points has seen Rovers drop one place in the standings to 9th, with a total tally of 36 points and a positive goal-difference of 2 to their name. With local rivals Preston North End occupying the final playoff spot, on 39 points, it sets up a tasty encounter for when the sides meet in early January.
Speaking of the upcoming fixtures, that Preston game comes after Rovers have contested three games in the space of six days. The first of which, is the final game of 2019 where Rovers, who will be backed by a sold out away end, travel to Yorkshire to face lowly Huddersfield Town on Sunday 29th December, at 3pm. As soon as 2020 arrives, Rovers will be back at it again, this time away at Nottingham Forest on 3pm on New Year’s Day. Following that encounter, Rovers and Birmingham do it all again for the third and final time this season, as the pair clash for the FA Cup Third Round at the St. Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium on Saturday 4th January, with the kick-off scheduled for a peculiar time of 12:31pm, with the extra minute designed in a campaign by the FA to ‘encourage fans to ‘Take a Minute’ to think about looking after their mental health’, as per the official line from the FA.
