Richard Wilford
BBC Radio WM commentator

I've just seen Santa leaving his seat and heading down to get a Bovril.

There's a limit to what Birmingham can do at half-time in terms of substitutions. They could switch to a wing-back system.

They had the first two shots on target, both from outside the box. At that time, their pressing was working well. When they get promising moments, they have to show more quality.

Callum O'Hare's goal was a tidy finish to beat John Ruddy. They were fortunate with the handball appeal against Koji Miyoshi.

Image source, Rex Features

Callum O'Hare's first goal in 19 months separates the sides at the break.

And Coventry will probably think they should be more than one ahead.

Lots of work for Birmingham boss Wayne Rooney to do at half-time if he is to avoid a fifth successive away defeat since taking over at Blues.

Goalscorer Callum O'Hare the latest Coventry man fortunate to escape a yellow card after hacking down Lukas Jutkiewicz.

The free-kick sums up Birmingham from an attacking sense this half though - lumped in and easy for Coventry keeper Brad Collins.

Birmingham are really struggling to string passes together in the Coventry half.

Yet another attack falls apart and Coventry counter quickly but Haji Wright gets nothing from the referee after going down softly under a Juninho Bacuna challenge.

Image source, Getty Images

Fantastic defending from Blues centre-back Marc Roberts one-on-one with Ellis Simms as he wins the ball fairly to prevent a possible second goal for the hosts.

This is all Coventry and Birmingham are desperate for the half-time whistle.

Ian Clarkson
Ex-Birmingham captain on BBC Radio WM

It looked like it had a chance of being handball.

The fact Coventry haven't shown it on the big screen suggests they think so, too.

Blues have got to calm it down. They've got to start holding the ball up.

That's a let-off for Blues.

A Coventry corner is cleared as far as Koji Miyoshi about 15 yards out and he seems to lean into it with his arm. Replays show it definitely struck the arm.

I reckon VAR would have given that.

Ged Scott
BBC Sport at the CBS Arena

That was Callum O'Hare's first goal in more than 19 months - also, would you believe, against Blues in April 2022, in a 4-2 Sky Blues win at St Andrew's.

It's a month longer than that since he last netted at the CBS Arena.

And what a thing of beauty it was to warm up a chill winter's night.

As a former Aston Villa man, after all his injury woe over the last year, you can bet O'Hare thought it was a pretty beautiful moment too.

Fine save John Ruddy.

Milan van Ewijk's low cross causes chaos as Ellis Simms and Marc Roberts vie to meet it.

It comes off the Birmingham defender but Ruddy sticks out a leg to prevent an own goal.

Birmingham unhappy as Coventry full-back Jake Bidwell escapes a booking for a pretty blatant trip on a rapidly-advancing Koji Miyoshi.

They have a point considering Juninho Bacuna was booked for a challenge that was arguably not as worse earlier.

Bobby Thomas clears the danger from the free-kick as Miyoshi puts a potentially dangerous low ball in.

Richard Wilford
BBC Radio WM commentator

That was Callum O'Hare's first goal of the season and his 13th for Coventry.

They have been solid defensively this season. For once, the away fans are becalmed.

Ian Clarkson
Ex-Birmingham captain on BBC Radio WM

Siriki Dembele gave the ball up far too easily. Coventry broke and there was too much space on the left-hand side.

Blues have got it all to do now.

It just won't fall for Coventry.

Jake Bidwell's pull-back is between Ben Sheaf and Callum O'Hare in the box. Sheaf evetually latches on to it but has to divert his run to do so and his shot is blocked.

Birmingham break and Siriki Dembele curls an effort wide from just outside the box.

Image source, Rex Features

As a Midlander, I've covered both of these sides fairly regularly over the past few years.

And, completely neutral head on, there's fewer better players outside the Premier League than Coventry's Callum O'Hare. Lovely player to watch.

Great to see him back after one of those horrible ACL injuries that seems to afflict so many players.

Image source, Getty Images

Coventry really on top now.

Milan van Ewijk's near-post cross is met first-time by a side-footer from Callum O'Hare - but it's straight at a relieved John Ruddy, who paws it away instinctively.

Coventry striker Haji Wright appears to be brought down 25 yards out.

The referee plays advantage but it comes to nothing despite the best efforts of Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, who has been a real livewire.

Excellent claim by Blues keeper John Ruddy from a deep corner.

Under real pressure, he clutches the ball confidently.

Image source, PA Media

A few causes for concern in the opening few minutes for Mark Robins but he'll be happy with how his Coventry side have responded.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto whips in a wicked cross for the Sky Blues that Marc Roberts has to stretch all of his six-foot-plus frame to clear.