Placheta on target to boost beleaguered Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM put their ongoing off-field uncertainty to one side with a narrow 2-1 win over Huddersfield at St Andrew’s last night. First-half goals from Scott Hogan and home debutant Przemyslaw Placheta (below), who is on loan from Norwich, gave new head coach John Eustace’s side a platform to go and get the three points.

But it was a different story after the break as Danny Ward pulled one back for Huddersfield — leaving Birmingham to defend for long periods.

The game came as a proposed £36.5million takeover of the Blues by Maxi Lopez and Paul Richardson stalled over doubts whether the businessmen have the funds to complete their proposed purchase. Birmingham took the lead in the fifth minute when Hogan scored with a stooping header from six yards.

The Blues then went 2-0 up in the 45th minute when Placheta’s shot was palmed into the net by Huddersfield goalkeeper Lee Nicholls. Sorba Thomas summed up Huddersfield’s first-half display when he finished poorly when presented with an unmarked chance from 12 yards out, after Ward failed to claim Jack Rudoni’s cross.

The visitors hauled themselves back into the contest in the 61st minute when Ward neatly slotted home after Thomas put him through following a one-touch passing move. Juninho Bacuna almost snatched a third goal for the hosts at the end, but his mazy run from 50 yards ended with a blocked shot.