CHE CHEER FOR STEVE
CHE ADAMS’ superb goal stunned Championship leaders Cardiff and gave Steve Cotterill a dream start as Birmingham boss.
Adams struck after a 40-yard run in the 19th minute to hand Neil Warnock’s table-topping Bluebirds just their second league defeat of the season.
The winger was making his first appearance in a month after injury.
It was the perfect response to a 6-1 defeat at Hull in the final game of Lee Carsley’s caretaker reign but put a dent in Cardiff’s impressive start.
Birmingham had an early penalty shout rejected when Isaac Vassell sprinted on to a clearance and into the box.
He appeared to be impeded by Sean Morrison but his appeal was half-hearted and referee Geoff Eltringham was unmoved.
Birmingham did most of the early pressing but had a scare when Cardiff forward Kenneth Zohore played a smart one-two with Craig Bryson.
Zohore found himself inside the box but his cross-shot was blocked by a sprawling Marc Roberts.
Asked
Birmingham went ahead through a moment of flair from Adams. He collected a poor kick from keeper Neil Etheridge on halfway, weaved in from the touchline, beat three men and angled a low shot past the Philippines international.
Cardiff then wanted a penalty when Zohore was eased off the ball by Adams but replays showed the Bluebirds man had stumbled.
Junior Hoilett tried his luck from a narrow angle for the visitors seven minutes before half-time but he blazed his effort high and wide.
Hoilett went closer soon after following a clever pass by Zohore but again he failed to force a save from keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.
And just before the break Bryson had a shot deflected wide after a powerful run down the left from Zohore.
Vassell could have made it two early in the second half but he fired too close to Etheridge after Cheikh Ndoye’s powerful run.
Blues were then denied twice in a bizarre goalmouth scramble.
First Ndoye accidentally blocked a shot by team-mate Adams at the near post, then Cardiff defender Bruno Manga cleared off the line after a series of ricochets.
Michael Morrison had to make a vital interception at the other end from a Zohore cross and the Blues captain produced a series of important blocks as Birmingham kept the Welsh side out.