BIRMINGHAM (5-4-1):
KUSZCZAK 8; Nsue 7, Bielik 6, Shotton 6, Robinson 7, Grounds 6; Tesche 5, Kieftenbeld 6, Gardner 5 (Gleeson 90), Davis 5; Jutkiewicz 6 (Donaldson 87).
Subs (not used): Legzdins (gk), Maghoma, Frei, Dacres-Cogley, Adams.
NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1):
7 Darlow: Didn’t have a lot to do, but made a decent second-half save from Jutkiewicz to ensure the scoresheet remained blank
6 Anita: Successfully shut down Birmingham’s left flank, but doesn’t boast Yedlin’s attacking threat on the overlap
7 HANLEY: Did the job he was asked to do as he came in to replace Clark – won the physical battle against Jutkiewicz
7 Lascelles: Has recovered his composure after a shaky spell a few weeks ago and led Newcastle’s backline effectively
6 Dummett: Solid at the back despite Nsue’s overlapping runs, but another player who never threatened in attack
5 Diame: Forced to drop deeper to cover for Shelvey and lacks the range of passing of the player he was asked to replace
6 Colback: Made a number of important tackles to ensure Birmingham’s midfielders never got going but didn’t do a lot with the ball at his feet
7 Ritchie: Came closest to claiming a winner with a first-half effort that was disallowed for offside and also tested Kuszczak in the second half
6 Perez: Showed some nice touches in the first half, and came close with a good shot in the build-up to Ritchie’s disallowed goal
5 Gouffran: Lacked attacking finesse on the left-hand side, although as usual his work rate could not be faulted
6 Murphy: Tested Kuszczak with a couple of decent headers, but his lack of pace restricted Newcastle’s attacking options
Subs:
5 Gayle (for Murphy, 63): Still didn’t look sharp in his half-hour on the field – Newcastle need him back to full pelt for their remaining eight matches
Shelvey (for Perez, 78)
Atsu (for Gouffran, 82)
(not used): Elliot (gk), Mbemba, Gamez, Mitrovic.
Man Of The Match: TOMASZ KUSZCZAK – Newcastle would have claimed all three points had it not been for the former Brighton goalkeeper’s heroics.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here