Rowe off to flying start
TOMMY ROWE marked his Bristol City debut by bagging Lee Johnson’s men a point.
It has been a frustrating week in the transfer market for the Robins after missing out on a host of top transfer targets.
But Johnson saved the praise for another one of his signings Kasey Palmer – even comparing him to passmater Glenn Hoddle.
Left wing back Rowe drilled home late on to cancel out Lukas Jutkiewicz’s opener but Johnson said: “Three or four of Kasey Palmer’s passes Glenn Hoddle would have been proud of.
“But the most important thing was for him to get a full game because that must be his first 90 minutes for 18 months.”
Rowe spared the blushes of his former Wolves teammate Benik Afobe, who wasted two glorious chances in either half.
The equaliser was a deserved reward for an improved second half from the Robins after Blues started the better.
New signing Fran Villalba, 21, scorched keeper Daniel Bentley’s hands with a rising, angled drive.
Then Gary Gardner headed Villalba’s corner into the ground and just over the bar.
But the visitors went closest to breaking the deadlock through Afobe, whose curling shot was beaten away by Lee Camp.
Bristol City created the first opening of the second half when captain Bailey Wright’s overhead kick flew straight at Camp.
Birmingham responded when Jutkiewicz’s effort was brilliantly palmed away by Bentley but the visitors looked the more dangerous and Afobe’s bouncing shot was tipped away by Camp.
But Blues took the lead against the run of play when Jutkiewicz rose highest at the far post to head home Marc Roberts’ cross in the 63rd minute.
Then Gardner lashed into the sidenetting when some fans thought he had scored.
But the Robins hit back through Rowe, who drilled a fierce low shot across Camp after Palmer split the defence in the 83rd minute.
Blues boss Pep Clotet said: “We played a very serious game against one of the most difficult teams to play at home – they caused us a lot of problems last season.
“So the fact we got on the front foot and played the football we want to play is very encouraging for the players.” BIRMINGHAM BRISTOLCITY 3 ........ Shots on Target .........5 7 ........ Shots off Target ......... 2 5 ................Corners .................8 6 .................. Fouls ................... 11 1 ................ Offsides ................ 0 76.2 .. Passing Success ... 78.3 407 ...... Total Passes ........ 469 46.5 .......Possession ........ 53.5 58.3 . Territorial Adv%.... 41.7