In the can for Clotet
PEP CLOTET didn’t need a swig from Birmingham’s new canned drink to enjoy this one.
Birmingham had Green Monkey CBD on sale at St Andrew’s for the first time.
It contains cannabis extract and is billed as giving “wellness and easing anxiety”.
But it was the pure joy of 16-year-old Jude Bellingham scoring the winner on his home league debut that had St Andrew’s jumping for joy.
Poor Stoke just went to pot after taking the lead.
Bellingham, Brum’s youngest player to turn out, came on as a first-half sub for hurt Jefferson Montero.
He hit a 76th minute winner that took a big deflection off Liam Lindsay and sent Stoke keeper Adam Federici the wrong way. The kid didn’t care.
Bellingham was off celebrating in front of the Tilton Road End and was mobbed by Blues fans.
Experienced pro Lukas Jutkiewicz took over a father’s role and guided Bellingham back on to the pitch. “Jude scored the goal that has given us the three points,” said Blues boss Clotet. “The fact that he did that in front of our fans, it is a memorable day for him as he’s the youngest player to play for Birmingham.”
Bellingham is even younger than Trevor Francis, still recognised as a God at Blues.
The comparisons between him and Francis, the original 16-year-old Superboy who hit four goals in one game against Bolton, are obvious.
“I know Trevor and I know what a player he was,” said Clotet. “It’s difficult to judge.
“I do hope Jude gives this football club as many happy days as possible.” With the Duke and Clotet looking after him, Bellingham, who is from the West Midlands and the son of a police sergeant who was a regular scorer in non-league football, has a bright future. But it’s gloom for Stoke boss Jones, who got away with a penalty shout for Danny Batth’s wrestling match with Lee Gregory.
Gregory then hit a post and they went ahead through Lindsay’s 58th-minute header from Tommy Smith’s free-kick. Then the slump set in.
Jones could have done with a swig of that new drink as his Stoke side fell apart yet again.
They are still bottom of the Championship with a solitary point and without a win for 12 league games. BIRMINGHAM STOKE 4 ........ Shots on Target ......... 3 6 ........ Shots off Target ......... 4 1 .................Corners ................. 3 24 ................ Fouls ................... 12 2 ............... Offsides .................. 1 68.3 . Passing Success % ....77.5 331........ Total Passes ........ 485 40.5 .... Possession % ..... 59.5 58.0 .Territorial Adv % .. 42.0