THE DUKE’S QUICK ON THE DRAW
Striker earns Blues point as Town wane
IT wasn’t exactly John Wayne, but The Duke came to Birmingham City’s rescue.
Lucas Jutkiewicz is known as “The Duke” at Birmingham and, with a bit of help from the cavalry, he got Blues out of a big mess.
Jutkiewicz’s two second-half goals rescued Birmingham from a shock home defeat just a week after they had won at Leeds.
Manager Garry Monk admitted there were harsh words at half-time as Ipswich – who had only scored once away from home all season until yesterday – took control.
“We showed fantastic character to come from two-nil down,” said Monk.
“Then we did enough in the second half to win the game.
“But what you can’t do is what we did in the first half. We were not competing to the level we know we can.
“I could have taken them all off at half-time but I haven’t got 11 subs.
“Yes, things were said at halftime because that’s the first time we have not been competitive for a long time.”
Blues had begun as if they wanted the game done and dusted as quickly as possible.
Jutkiewicz had a sixth minute header from Jota’s corner blocked and Che Adams’ follow-up hit an Ipswich defender.
Then Gary Gardner clipped a post with his shot – it was as chaotic and as congested as the traffic in Birmingham’s city-
centre roadworks.
Ipswich, though, simply drove ahead. They allowed Birmingham to attack, defied them, and then, just as Blues did at Leeds, caught the home team on the break.
When Birmingham gave the ball away in the 26th minute, Ipswich were on it.
Matthew Pennington got the counter attack started and Kayden Jackson waited for Jon Nolan to get in position and drive in his shot.
Blues tried to argue that Michael Morrison’s header was over the line before Jonas Knudsen cleared 13 minutes later, but their appeals were turned down and Ipswich celebrated with a second goal.
Grant Ward’s corner four minutes before half-time was not dealt with and Pennington was allowed to score from six yards.
Ipswich, after their dire start to the season, were up and running and looking for their first win.
Birmingham’s players sprinted off the pitch at halftime. Whether it was embarrassment or a desire to sit down and quickly sort it out was unclear.
But we found out the moment the second half kicked off.
Blues were straight at Ipswich and quickly got a goal back.
Jota was the creator with his pass that sent Jutkiewicz through Ipswich’s defence and he fought clear, putting the ball away with his left foot.
Jutkiewicz then put a 65thminute header against the crossbar and fired in the equaliser in the 68th minute
“Jutkiewicz has been fantastic all season and deserved those goals.
“We know his strengths and we use him in that way,” added Monk
Ipswich fought desperately to hold on to their point and Pennington getting sent off for two yellow cards, leaving them with 10 men into injury time, didn’t help their cause.
“Sat in the dressing room at two-nil up you are hopeful of getting that victory,” admitted Hurst.
“Thankfully, we stood strong when it got to 2-2 because it was a case of what happens next.
“Where we are at, some teams could have gone under quite easily, but I didn’t feel that happened. I saw some leadership on the pitch.
“We have edged up a place in the table. I’m not getting carried away with that, it’s not where we want to be, but it’s better than going the other way.”
But are Birmingham happy with not having won at home since the last game of last season?