Blues’ late show may be Martin Swans song
SWANSEA
Piroe 23, 58, Cullen 29
BIRMINGHAM
Hogan 14 (pen), Chong 55, Jutkiewicz 90, Trusty 90
RUSSELL MARTIN hinted his time as Swansea City manager could be up after an extraordinary Birmingham City mugging.
Two Blues goals at the death from veteran striker Lukas Jutkiewicz and centre-half Austin Trusty left Martin, his players and home fans in disbelief.
Swansea were cruising at 3-2 after a dominant display, but were floored by the double sucker-punch.
On Friday, Swans boss Martin publicly bemoaned the lack of activity in the transfer market with a pointed message at American owners Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan.
Martin cut a distraught figure in the post-match press conference, and suggested his pre-match comments had annoyed his employers.
Asked if he had spoken to them since, he said: “I don’t want to get into that, of course I have. We’ll have to wait and see what happens. I’ve not felt as low as this to be honest, I don’t know what to say.
“I’ve done my best to keep everyone focused this week. I’ve tried to be honest with everyone which has probably made some people unhappy. I have to deal with the fall-out from that.
“I’ve had a lack of sleep and I’m concerned for a lot of people.
“I will be ready to go again on Monday.” Birmingham took the lead from their first attack of the game when midfielder Reda Khadra was brought down in the box by Swans goalkeeper Andy Fisher.
Striker Scott Hogan converted from the spot via a scuffed shot that squirmed under Fisher’s body, but it was no surprise when Swansea roared back.
Goals from striker Joel Piroe and midfield man Liam Cullen edged them 2-1 ahead, but they were pegged back when Tahith Chong scored on the counter-attack for Birmingham in the 55th minute.
Piroe’s second arrived almost immediately when Blues goalkeeper John Ruddy shanked an attempted clearance into Piroe’s path and the Dutchman rolled the ball into an empty net.
It looked like plain-sailing for the Swans – before the late drama.
SWANSEA: Fisher 6, Manning 7, Fulton 9, Cabango 6, Grimes 8, Ntcham 7 (Cundle (64) 6), Piroe 9 (Darling (77) 6), Cullen 8 (Whittaker (69) 6), Latibeaudiere 7, Wood 7, Cooper 7
BIRMINGHAM: Ruddy 5, Colin 6, Friend 4 (Bacuna (45) 7), Trusty 7, Hogan 5, Khadra 7 (Longelo (57) 6), Chong 8, Gardner 4 (Mejbri (45) 6), Long 6, Sanderson 5, Bielik 5 (Jutkiewicz (77) 7)
STAR MAN: Joel Piroe – Two goals and a handful for the visitors all game.
REF: Jeremy Simpson 8