Birmingham City fought to a 1-1 draw with Hull City yesterday night to increase their chances of avoiding relegation, and Lukas Jutkiewicz was their savior.
For the second time this season, the 34-year-old striker thundered home a header at the MKM Stadium. Compared to his FA Cup goal in January, Jutkiewicz’s header this time around may prove to be considerably more important.
Blues moved up to 19th place as a result, giving them a one-point lead over the bottom three. Even if the difference is tiny, a number of teams are now involved in the Championship relegation battle.
After the Owls defeated the Pilgrims 1-0 on Tuesday, there are just two points separating 16th-place Plymouth and 23rd-place Sheffield Wednesday. The title match, you say? These are our talking points from what might be an important road game for the Blues.
The man leading the relegation fight
It appears that Blues will keep using Jutkiewicz to keep them from going down to the lower leagues indefinitely. Throughout his eight-year tenure with the Blues, he has experienced more than his fair share of relegation battles, making him the man for the job.
That goal may have been Jutkiewicz’s final one while playing for Royal Blue. Although his time at St Andrew’s is running out, he will always be recognized for keeping the Blues afloat at one of the most trying times in the team’s history.
Tom Wagner deserves some of the credit for his investment in the Blues last summer, as Jutkiewicz acknowledged. If you stick around this season, Knighthead’s investment ought to lead to better things in the future. Jutkiewicz’s contribution to that will remain as part of his legacy.
It is unable to self-correct.
We should discuss Hull’s objective. Ozan Tufan used his hand to send the ball into the Blues’ net.
It was a handball match. “I don’t believe Ozan did it intentionally,” Hull manager Liam Rosenior stated. It is difficult to concur with him on that point.
Mark Venus, the interim Blues manager, remarked, “Is it handball? To me, it appears to be a handball. Though I understand that the officials are going through a tough moment, I can’t help but feel like the odds are slightly against us. Hopefully things work out and we have a few respites.
Regretfully, it never quite balances out. Referee Keith Stroud had the option to show Ivan Sunjic a second yellow card for a foul in the second half only to maintain balance. However, that doesn’t compensate for a goal being awarded.
Hull City’s game against Birmingham City in the Sky Bet Championship begins with a goal by Ozan Tufan at MKM Stadium.
Hull City’s Ozan Tufan scores the first goal against Birmingham City. (Photo: George Orfew)
Maximizing a negative circumstance
Last night, the Blues used a ninth different central defensive pairing. For the most part, Emanuel Aiwu and Lee Buchanan provided a valuable supplementary combination to thwart a highly skilled Hull attack. Full-backs Cody Drameh and Ethan Laird, who tended to tuck in to defend Aiwu and Buchanan rather than move forward, provided them with good support.
Krystian Bielik (injury) and Dion Sanderson (suspension) have already been ruled out of this weekend’s game at Millwall. Marc Roberts’ aerial strength is sorely required, but his availability is uncertain because of a calf injury.
Venus is not at that certain, but she is hopeful. “To be perfectly honest, I don’t know whether he will make it for the weekend,” he stated. If he isn’t fit, the unconventional back four that the Blues used against Hull will have to once more make the most of a difficult circumstance.
George Hall revealed
It was exciting to watch George Hall accelerate to full speed just moments after he started. Throughout a spirited 30-minute cameo, he repeatedly outran Hull’s defense.
Hall may have been nervous to put on the afterburners after suffering four hamstring strains in ten months, but he will be happier for it now. The Blues are better off with him on hand.
During their two months in charge, Venus and Tony Mowbray have talked highly of Hall’s potential, and there appears to be enthusiasm surrounding him once more. Now, the 19-year-old is in need of some good fortune.
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