Postpublished at 71 mins
Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
A shot from Crawley.
Ronan Darcy cuts in from the left and his effort is deflected wide.
The resulting corner is, at the risk of repeating myself, poor and cleared.
Summary
Birmingham win at Crawley to go top of League One
Stansfield heads late winner for Blues
Final EFL fixture before Christmas
21st-placed Crawley stay inside drop zone
Postpublished at 71 mins
Postpublished at 70 mins
Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
A free-kick for Crawley in the Birmingham half but it's overhit and cleared.
Postpublished at 68 mins
Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
We've got a quarter of the game to go.
Is there a goal in this one?
'Crawley will feel they can get something'published at 21:44 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2024
Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
Darren Carter
Ex-Birmingham midfielder on BBC Radio WMAs much as Birmingham have dominated this second period, Crawley will still feel they can get something out of this, especially while it's still 0-0.
Postpublished at 66 mins
Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
Toby Mullarkey makes an error of judgement facing his own goal and then compounds it by fouling Alfie May - free-kick to Birmingham on the by-line.
The delivery fails to beat the man at the near post - as you were everyone.
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 64 mins
Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
Birmingham make their first change but it's at full-back with Lee Buchanan off and replaced by Ethan Laird.
In the meantime the Crawley goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott is receiving some treatment.
Postpublished at 63 mins
Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
We've gone past the hour mark.
Crawley still haven't had a shot on goal.
I can report Birmingham goalkeeper Ryan Allsop is on the pitch and available should the home strikers fancy an effort.
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 59 mins
Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
Tola Showunmi's evening is done for Crawley.
Former Arsenal and Ipswich forward Tyreece John-Jules is on for the home side.
'Crawley having to work a lot more'published at 21:34 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2024
Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
Darren Carter
Ex-Birmingham midfielder on BBC Radio WMCrawley are having to work a lot more off the ball than they did in the first half, gaps are appearing for the Blues to move into.
Image source, PA MediaPostpublished at 56 mins
Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
A corner for Birmingham - I'll remind you, no-one in League One has conceded more than Crawley's 14 goals from set pieces this season.
The visitors take it short and Willum Wullumsson's effort is saved by Jojo Wollacott.
Birmingham are on top now.
'More slick from Birmingham'published at 21:30 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2024
Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
Darren Carter
Ex-Birmingham midfielder on BBC Radio WMIt seems that Birmingham have made a real effort to get the ball to Keshi Anderson or Jay Stansfield as they are both one on one with the Crawley defenders.
It is a lot more slick in this second half from Birmingham, they are moving the ball quicker.
Postpublished at 53 mins
Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
We perhaps shouldn't be surprised with how well Crawley have done tonight because they have won two of their past three league games.
The defeat came nine days ago when they lost a crazy game 4-3 at Peterborough - their third 4-3 loss of the season incidentally.
Just one of those goals in this game would be nice!
Postpublished at 50 mins
Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
Tomoki Iwata has a dip from distance and it's just wide of the post.
Birmingham have come out with a point to prove.
PENALTY APPEALpublished at 48 mins
Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
Krystian Bielik sticks the ball in for Birmingham and Willum Wullimsson goes down in the box - there are shouts for a penalty but referee Farai Hallam isn't interested.
Postpublished at 46 mins
Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
No changes for either side at the break and some early intent from Birmingham with a good switch of play to Keshi Anderson but his cross is straight into the hands of Jojo Wollacott.
KICK-OFFpublished at 21:22 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2024
Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
Image source, Rex FeaturesOk lads we could be finishing the wrapping or peeling copious vegetables tonight but we've given you our undivided attention - we need to be entertained.
The second half is under way.
Kev gets Cobblers callpublished at 21:20 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2024
Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
Image source, Rex FeaturesIn case you missed it we have had a managerial appointment in League One today.
Former Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham forward Kevin Nolan is the new boss of Northampton Town.
Nolan has previously managed Leyton Orient and Notts County while his last involvement was as David Moyes' first team coach at West Ham.
With Burton Albion having appointed Gary Bowyer last week it just leaves the vacancy at Bristol Rovers to be filled following the sacking of Matt Taylor seven days ago.
Boxing Day's League One fixturespublished at 21:14 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2024
HT: Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
There is a full programme of League One action on Boxing Day with some intriguing fixtures at both ends of the table.
League One
Birmingham City v Burton Albion
Bolton Wanderers v Barnsley
Charlton Athletic v Cambridge United
Exeter City v Bristol Rovers
Huddersfield Town v Stockport County
Leyton Orient v Crawley Town (13:00 GMT)
Peterborough United v Mansfield Town
Reading v Northamoton Town
Rotherham United v Wigan Athletic
Shrewsbury Town v Lincoln City
Stevenage v Wycombe Wanderers
Wrexham v Blackpool
You will be able to follow everything which happens with our live text service on Boxing Day.
'Birmingham haven't found any sort of rhythm'published at 21:11 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2024
HT: Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
Darren Carter
Ex-Birmingham midfielder on BBC Radio WMIt's been quiet for Ryan Allsop and the rest of the Birmingham defence who haven't really been under pressure.
Whenever blues have been in and around the box they have looked dangerous but they just haven't found any sort of rhythm so far.
Postpublished at 21:09 Greenwich Mean Time 23 December 2024
HT: Crawley 0-0 Birmingham
Enjoy that?!
Jay Stansfield scored his seventh goal in seven games for Birmingham
Birmingham City moved top of League One as Jay Stansfield's headed goal finally broke through Crawley's resolute defence at Broadfield Stadium.
The promotion-chasing Blues had been kept at bay in a largely drab game in tricky conditions, but eventually claimed the three points that will see them sitting at the table's summit on Christmas Day.
Stansfield's red-hot streak continued as he nodded home his seventh goal in seven appearances from Keshi Anderson's cross with the match fizzling towards a goalless draw.
Chris Davies' side move one point clear of Wycombe Wanderers with a game in hand following a fifth league win in a row.
Crawley remain in the relegation zone, two points from safety, and face back-to-back away fixtures at Leyton Orient and Exeter to end the year.
Chris Davies has led Birmingham to 14 wins from their 19 league games this season
Crawley welcomed back captain Dion Conroy to their starting line-up for the first time this season, but the 29-year-old defender was largely untroubled in a forgettable first half after kick-off had been delayed due to a medical emergency in the crowd.
The visitors improved after the break, with efforts from Paik Seung-Ho and Willum Willumsson dealt with by the Reds backline and goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott, while the hosts did not register a shot until the 71st minute.
They found themselves behind eight minutes later as Stansfield found space in the box to head in his 14th goal of the season shortly after Conroy was substituted.
Ethan Laird's brilliant solo run down the left and ball across the face of goal should have then been converted by Lyndon Dykes.
But the former QPR striker could not connect on the goalline to score his first league goal since moving to St Andrew's in the summer.
Related topics
League One Scores & Fixtures
League One Table
On Monday 23rd December
Skip to table keyMatch Participants:
- Birmingham City, Position 1, Points 45
- Crawley Town, Position 21, Points 19
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 35 | 16 | 19 | 45 |
| |
| 2 | 20 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 43 | 22 | 21 | 44 |
| |
| 3 | 21 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 31 | 14 | 17 | 42 |
| |
| 4 | 20 | 12 | 3 | 5 | 34 | 18 | 16 | 39 |
| |
| 5 | 21 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 34 | 22 | 12 | 36 |
| |
| 6 | 21 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 28 | 25 | 3 | 31 |
| |
| 7 | 20 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 31 |
| |
| 8 | 19 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 28 | 29 | -1 | 31 |
| |
| 9 | 21 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 29 | 30 | -1 | 30 |
| |
| 10 | 19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 | 22 | 1 | 28 |
| |
| 11 | 20 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 23 | 19 | 4 | 27 |
| |
| 12 | 20 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 29 | 31 | -2 | 27 |
| |
| 13 | 20 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 19 | 22 | -3 | 27 |
| |
| 14 | 19 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 15 | 17 | -2 | 26 |
| |
| 15 | 20 | 7 | 4 | 9 | 23 | 20 | 3 | 25 |
| |
| 16 | 20 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 38 | 37 | 1 | 24 |
| |
| 17 | 20 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 19 | 18 | 1 | 24 |
| |
| 18 | 19 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 19 | 21 | -2 | 23 |
| |
| 19 | 20 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 18 | 29 | -11 | 22 |
| |
| 20 | 21 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 21 | 34 | -13 | 21 |
| |
| 21 | 20 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 20 | 33 | -13 | 19 |
| |
| 22 | 20 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 20 | 35 | -15 | 17 |
| |
| 23 | 20 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 17 | 32 | -15 | 12 |
| |
| 24 | 20 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 21 | 41 | -20 | 12 |
|
Key
- Position 1 - 2 : Promotion
- Position 3 - 6 : Promotion Play-off
- Position 21 - 24 : Relegation
Team Lineups
home team, Crawley Town
Manager: Rob Elliot
Formation: 3 - 5 - 1 - 1
Pitch Formation
1, Wollacott, Goalkeeper
24, Mullarkey, Defender
3, Conroy, Defender
5, Barker, Defender
7, Forster, Midfielder
12, Panutche Camará, Midfielder
19, Kelly, Midfielder
6, Anderson, Midfielder
22, Adeyemo, Midfielder
9, Swan, Attacking Midfielder
29, Showunmi, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, J. Wollacott
- Number 5, C. Barker
- Number 3, D. Conroy , Captain, substituted for J. Roles at 77 minutes
- Number 24, T. Mullarkey
- Number 22, A. Adeyemo , substituted for R. Darcy at 30 minutes
- Number 6, M. Anderson , substituted for R. Hepburn-Murphy at 73 minutes
- Number 19, J. Kelly
- Number 12, Panutche Camará , substituted for B. Ibrahim at 73 minutes
- Number 7, H. Forster , substituted for Junior Quitirna at 78 minutes
- Number 9, W. Swan
- Number 29, T. Showunmi , substituted for T. John-Jules at 59 minutes
Substitutes
home team, Crawley Town
- Number 16, E. Beach
- Number 10, R. Darcy
- Number 14, R. Hepburn-Murphy
- Number 23, B. Ibrahim
- Number 45, T. John-Jules , Yellow Card at 86 minutes
- Number 18, Junior Quitirna
- Number 11, J. Roles
away team, Birmingham City
Manager: Chris Davies
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
21, Allsop, Goalkeeper
6, Bielik, Defender
4, Klarer, Defender
25, Davies, Defender
3, Buchanan, Defender
24, Iwata, Defensive Midfielder
13, Paik Seung-Ho, Defensive Midfielder
14, Anderson, Attacking Midfielder
18, Willumsson, Attacking Midfielder
28, Stansfield, Attacking Midfielder
9, May, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 21, R. Allsop
- Number 3, L. Buchanan , substituted for E. Laird at 63 minutes
- Number 25, B. Davies
- Number 4, C. Klarer , Yellow Card at 45 minutes plus 1
- Number 6, K. Bielik , Captain
- Number 13, Paik Seung-Ho
- Number 24, T. Iwata
- Number 28, J. Stansfield , substituted for L. Harris at 90 minutes
- Number 18, W. Willumsson , substituted for M. Leonard at 73 minutes
- Number 14, K. Anderson , substituted for T. Gardner-Hickman at 93 minutes
- Number 9, A. May , substituted for L. Dykes at 74 minutes
away team, Birmingham City
- Number 17, L. Dykes
- Number 19, T. Gardner-Hickman
- Number 7, E. Hansson
- Number 26, L. Harris
- Number 2, E. Laird
- Number 12, M. Leonard
- Number 45, B. Peacock-Farrell
home team, Crawley Town
Manager: Rob Elliot
Formation: 3 - 5 - 1 - 1
Pitch Formation
1, Wollacott, Goalkeeper
24, Mullarkey, Defender
3, Conroy, Defender
5, Barker, Defender
7, Forster, Midfielder
12, Panutche Camará, Midfielder
19, Kelly, Midfielder
6, Anderson, Midfielder
22, Adeyemo, Midfielder
9, Swan, Attacking Midfielder
29, Showunmi, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, J. Wollacott
- Number 5, C. Barker
- Number 3, D. Conroy , Captain, substituted for J. Roles at 77 minutes
- Number 24, T. Mullarkey
- Number 22, A. Adeyemo , substituted for R. Darcy at 30 minutes
- Number 6, M. Anderson , substituted for R. Hepburn-Murphy at 73 minutes
- Number 19, J. Kelly
- Number 12, Panutche Camará , substituted for B. Ibrahim at 73 minutes
- Number 7, H. Forster , substituted for Junior Quitirna at 78 minutes
- Number 9, W. Swan
- Number 29, T. Showunmi , substituted for T. John-Jules at 59 minutes
Substitutes
- Number 16, E. Beach
- Number 10, R. Darcy
- Number 14, R. Hepburn-Murphy
- Number 23, B. Ibrahim
- Number 45, T. John-Jules , Yellow Card at 86 minutes
- Number 18, Junior Quitirna
- Number 11, J. Roles
away team, Birmingham City
Manager: Chris Davies
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
21, Allsop, Goalkeeper
6, Bielik, Defender
4, Klarer, Defender
25, Davies, Defender
3, Buchanan, Defender
24, Iwata, Defensive Midfielder
13, Paik Seung-Ho, Defensive Midfielder
14, Anderson, Attacking Midfielder
18, Willumsson, Attacking Midfielder
28, Stansfield, Attacking Midfielder
9, May, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 21, R. Allsop
- Number 3, L. Buchanan , substituted for E. Laird at 63 minutes
- Number 25, B. Davies
- Number 4, C. Klarer , Yellow Card at 45 minutes plus 1
- Number 6, K. Bielik , Captain
- Number 13, Paik Seung-Ho
- Number 24, T. Iwata
- Number 28, J. Stansfield , substituted for L. Harris at 90 minutes
- Number 18, W. Willumsson , substituted for M. Leonard at 73 minutes
- Number 14, K. Anderson , substituted for T. Gardner-Hickman at 93 minutes
- Number 9, A. May , substituted for L. Dykes at 74 minutes
Substitutes
- Number 17, L. Dykes
- Number 19, T. Gardner-Hickman
- Number 7, E. Hansson
- Number 26, L. Harris
- Number 2, E. Laird
- Number 12, M. Leonard
- Number 45, B. Peacock-Farrell
- Referee:
- Farai Hallam
- Assistant Referee 1:
- Michael Webb
- Assistant Referee 2:
- Jon Block
- Fourth Official:
- Stephen Parkinson
Match Officials
Match Stats
Key, Crawley v BirminghamOverall possession
Shots
Crawley Town 5Birmingham City 11Advanced match stats
Shots
Crawley Town 5Birmingham City 11Shots on target
Crawley Town 0Birmingham City 4Shots off target
Crawley Town 3Birmingham City 3Blocked shots
Crawley Town 2Birmingham City 4Attempts out of box
Crawley Town 1Birmingham City 5Total offside
Crawley Town 3Birmingham City 3Total tackles
Crawley Town 31Birmingham City 16Won tackles
Crawley Town 16Birmingham City 9Fouls
Crawley Town 11Birmingham City 15Total yellow cards
Crawley Town 1Birmingham City 1Total clearances
Crawley Town 34Birmingham City 45Headed clearances
Crawley Town 19Birmingham City 31Duels won
Crawley Town 64Birmingham City 55Total passes
Crawley Town 280Birmingham City 461Accurate passes
Crawley Town 185Birmingham City 368Backward passes
Crawley Town 57Birmingham City 97Forward passes
Crawley Town 127Birmingham City 152Total long balls
Crawley Town 64Birmingham City 62Successful final third passes
Crawley Town 46Birmingham City 56Total crosses
Crawley Town 15Birmingham City 16Touches
Crawley Town 491Birmingham City 702Touches in the box
Crawley Town 9Birmingham City 20Dispossessed
Crawley Town 9Birmingham City 21Goalkeeper saves
Crawley Town 3Birmingham City 0Diving saves
Crawley Town 1Birmingham City 0Saved shots from inside the box
Crawley Town 2Birmingham City 0Saved shots from outside the box
Crawley Town 1Birmingham City 0Keeper throws
Crawley Town 3Birmingham City 3Goal kicks
Crawley Town 2Birmingham City 5Season so far
League One
Key, Crawley v Birmingham
League position, Crawley Town 22nd, Birmingham City 1stTotal points, Crawley Town 30, Birmingham City 82
Goals scored
Crawley Town 38Birmingham City 58Form guide
All competitions
Crawley Town lose
v Peterborough United
4
3
League One
Birmingham City won
v Bristol Rovers
2
0
League One
Crawley Town won
v Charlton Athletic
1
2
League One
Birmingham City won
v Exeter City
1
2
EFL Trophy
Crawley Town lose
v Lincoln City
3
4
FA Cup
Birmingham City won
v Barnsley
1
2
League One
Crawley Town won
v Rotherham United
1
0
League One
Birmingham City won
v Stockport County
2
0
League One
Crawley Town draw
v Bristol Rovers
0
0
League One
Birmingham City won
v Blackpool
1
2
FA Cup
Previous meetings
All competitions
Crawley Town and Birmingham CityCrawley Town Won 0Birmingham City Won 1Draw 0
Played
1
Previous scores
All competitions
League Cup
Birmingham City 5 , Crawley Town 1 on the 8th of August 2017
Birmingham City
Crawley Town
8th of August 2017
- Skip back to previous scores
- Skip back to previous meetings
- Skip back to form guide
- Skip back to season so far
Match Facts
This will be just the second competitive meeting between Crawley Town and Birmingham City after a 5-1 victory for the Blues in the first round of the League Cup in August 2017.
Birmingham City have failed to win any of their last ten away league games against newly promoted opposition (D3 L7), since a 1-0 success over Rotherham United in April 2021.
Crawley have conceded 14 goals from set piece situations so far in League One this season – the most of any side in the competition (including penalties).
Birmingham have won 16 points from losing positions in League One this season – the most of any side in the third tier.