Hannibal Mejbri stole the present as his purpose 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 facet in entrance in sensational trend, curling a large free-kick in from 35 yards out, deceiving West Brom goalkeeper David Button by pretending to go for a cross.

Mejbri then curled in a beautiful nook for Krystian Bielik to go 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 facet 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 prospect to maneuver as much as fifth.

Birmingham followers marched from town centre to St Andrew’s as protests in opposition to house owners Birmingham Sports activities Holdings continued however they have been no less than given an early purpose to ease their anger.

The hosts have been brilliant and, when Lukas Jutkiewicz cleverly purchased a free-kick off Conor Townsend 30 yards out on the precise after 10 minutes, Hannibal took cost.

Button was anticipating him to swing it right into a crowded space however as an alternative, the 20-year-old embarrassed the goalkeeper by curling across the one-man wall to search out the underside nook.

First to every thing, 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 greatest.

Marc Albrighton’s shot deflected extensive however was by no means troubling Ruddy and there was no zip from a facet who had received 11 of their earlier 16 video games.

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 means again.

Participant of the match: Hannibal Mejbri

Birmingham midfielder Hannibal Mejbri talking to Sky Sports activities Soccer:

“It was a fantastic sport first, derby. I had the prospect to attain and I am very completely happy. The ambiance was very nice, I simply must 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 all the time there. When issues get exhausting, 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 are going to see what occurs in the summertime.”

What’s subsequent?

Each groups are again in midweek Championship motion, with Birmingham having one other house sport, this time in opposition to Cardiff.

West Brom, in the meantime, host Blackburn Rovers in an enormous sport within the play-off competition race.

Each video games might be watched on the Sky Sports activities Soccer Crimson Button.