Friday Night Review: Birmingham City 1-1 Ipswich Town: Standout Players and Key Talking Points

Friday Night Review: Birmingham City 1-1 Ipswich Town: Standout Players and Key Talking Points

The EFL Championship kicked off on Friday night with two teams making their return to the division after a year's absence.

Tom Brady-backed Birmingham looked set to claim the three points until the Tractor Boys' George Hirst saved the visitors from opening night defeat in the 90+5th minute.

Controversies were aplenty, with an overruled goal and a penalty decision adding fuel to the fire which overspilled on multiple occasions as players clashed.

Who were the standout players and what will the main talking points from the match be?

Are Birmingham Contenders?

Two leagues separated these clubs just last year, but based on last night's encounter, you'd never have guessed it.

The Blues were sharper to every ball and looked much more threatening every time they went forward.

At the back, Ipswich hardly caused them a threat and their only shot on target was from the eventual goal deep into stoppage time.

Many of the Tractor Boys' squad, minus star-man Liam Delap and potentially Omari Hutchinson, have stuck around following relegation from the Premier League.

As a result, this core of players that have already tasted promotion under manager Kieran McKenna will have to be in the hunt to return to the top flight, most would feel.

Despite Birmingham competing down in League One last year, the additions of Tommy Doyle from rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers and the highly-rated Kyogo Furuhashi from Stade Rennais should give them competitiveness in the Championship.

For The Blues to have more than held their own already, up against one of the bigger names in the league, could be a sign that they will exceed their expectations to survive in the division and perhaps they will challenge within the top half instead.

Huge Decisions Cost Hosts Victory

Furuhashi looked to have given Birmingham the lead inside seven minutes as Ipswich's Jacob Greaves misjudged the bounce of a ball, allowing the summer signing to chip over Alex Palmer in goal, yet the referee had already blown his whistle for a free-kick.

🗣️ "For me, I think it should be a goal"
🗣️ "For me it's a foul"

Mixed opinions on that Kyogo disallowed goal, who do you agree with? 🤔💬 pic.twitter.com/7VPVbY6c6a

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 8, 2025

The decision looked extremely harsh, with the question being whether the contact with Greaves' shoulder was enough for him to not be able to head the ball forward.

In the dying moments, Ipswich won a penalty after Lyndon Dykes was believed to have handballed a header from Greaves - which Hirst equalised from.

Due to the letter of the law, the referee has to give the penalty due to Dykes' positioning of his hand, although many people are furious with this rule and think any foul committed from an arm being in the air due to momentum from jumping.

"That makes it ridiculous that decision" 😤

Chris Davies believes the penalty was 'really really harsh' 🔊 pic.twitter.com/7F1zDZVYIM

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 8, 2025

Players Clash

Both sets of players came together twice, with the biggest confrontation coming directly after the penalty goal.

Clearly, Birmingham were very frustrated at the decision they felt went unjustdly against them, which won't have been helped by the goal they might have had early in the first half.

Frustrations come to the fore at St Andrew's after Ipswich equalise with a penalty in injury time! 😳 pic.twitter.com/Nyc14n3Qkl

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 8, 2025

Amidst the stoppage-time commotion, a Blues supporter stormed onto the pitch and struck Jack Taylor of Ipswich Town.

Earlier on Sunday, West Midlands Police confirmed they were "reviewing CCTV footage to establish the full circumstances" of the incident.

Birmingham said they would support the officers and take appropriate action once the investigation has concluded.

Stanfield Stars

A lot of noise was made last summer when Jay Stansfield decided to depart Premier League side Fulham for the Midlands club for £10m, smashing the League One transfer record fee.

However, his 19 strikes from 37 matches significantly helped them waltz to 111 points and has since played a part in England's successful Under-21 European Championship campaign.

Now, no one is doubting his decision to depart West London as he aims to take Birmingham to back-to-back promotions under the financial backing of USA's Shelby Companies Limited, a subsidiary of Knighthead Capital Management, of which NFL Legend Tom Brady is partnered with.

Once again, it was Stansfield's boot that gave Birmingham City the lead, although chances will certainly be harder to come by than the circumstances of this goal.

Kyogo hits the post but STANSFIELD IS THERE TO FINISH IT OFF! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/cr7RWylpuR

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 8, 2025

Iwata Runs the Midfield

Tomoki Iwata impressed in his EFL Championship bow, spraying 51 passes with an accuracy rate of 75% and having 62 touches.

He won 2/3 of his ground duels and 100% of his aerial duels, plus making 1 clearance and an interception.

Young's Introduction

After 19 years as a Premier League player, Ashley Young is back in the Championship with Ipswich Town.

The ex-Aston Villa man received a frosty reception at St Andrews, as he was brought off the bench in the 68th minute for his first competitive match with the Tractor Boys.

Young's in-swinging corner was what led to Greaves' header to win a penalty for the equaliser.

He had a 94% pass accuracy with 2/3 successful crosses and 1/1 accurate long balls.