{"id":703249,"date":"2026-01-18T01:27:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T01:27:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/703249\/"},"modified":"2026-01-18T01:27:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T01:27:18","slug":"birmingham-city-player-ratings-vs-swansea-stansfield-the-catalyst-as-roberts-seals-draw-for-blues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/703249\/","title":{"rendered":"Birmingham City player ratings vs Swansea: Stansfield the catalyst as Roberts seals draw for Blues"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Birmingham City sealed a point against Swansea City with a battling 1-1 draw<\/p>\n<p>19:33, 17 Jan 2026Updated 20:00, 17 Jan 2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_JS393343691.jpg\" alt=\"Patrick Roberts of Birmingham City celebrates scoring a goal to make it 1-1 against Swansea City\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Patrick Roberts of Birmingham City celebrates scoring a goal to make it 1-1 against Swansea City\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Patrick Roberts of Birmingham City celebrates scoring a goal to make it 1-1 against Swansea City(Image: )<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Patrick Roberts netted his third goal of the season to cut<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/birmingham-city-fc\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\"> Birmingham City<\/a>\u2019s run of away defeats at Swansea City.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The winger\u2019s goal cancelled out Zan Vipotnik\u2019s opener and earned <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/birmingham-city-fc\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Blues <\/a>their first point away from St Andrew\u2019s @ Knighthead Park since November.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The game quickly settled into a pattern of Swansea possession but it was Blues who threatened the goal first. Tommy Doyle\u2019s low corner found Paik Seung-ho and the South Korean\u2019s goal-bound effort was scrambled away by the hosts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Paik\u2019s compatriot, Eom Ji-sung, was inches away from giving Swansea the lead after a swift counter-attack. Phil Neumann sprinted back into position and kept his balance to divert Eom\u2019s shot away from the bottom corner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The pace of Lewis Koumas caused Swansea a problem or two in the opening exchanges and he got in behind Ethan Galbraith to lay on a chance for Marvin Ducksch. By the time Ducksch had set himself, Jay Fulton was positioned to bravely block the shot.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK!<\/strong><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/birminghamcitynews#\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">All the latest Blues news on Birmingham Live\u2019s Birmingham City FC Facebook page<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A positive start for <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/birmingham-city-fc\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Blues<\/a>, but self-destruction is always a possibility away from home.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Midway through the first half, Kai Wagner tried to shield the ball from Ronald when he should have hoofed it clear. Ronald was too sharp for the Blues newbie and broke clear to put the ball on a plate for Vipotnik to score his 11th Championship goal of the season.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_JS393334740.jpg\" alt=\"Zan Vipotnik of Swansea City celebrates scoring a goal to make it 1-0\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Zan Vipotnik of Swansea City celebrates scoring a goal to make it 1-0\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Zan Vipotnik of Swansea City celebrates scoring a goal to make it 1-0(Image: )<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Swansea upped the ante after their goal. A superb passing move resulted in Goncalo Franco forcing a fingertip save from James Beadle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Blues weathered the Swansea storm and could have levelled before half-time. Koumas scampered down the left again, leaving two Swansea defenders in his wake, before pulling the ball back for Roberts to blaze over the bar.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Kyogo Furuhashi\u2019s eyes lit up in first half stoppage time when Tomoki Iwata lashed a ball across the box. Unfortunately for Kyogo, he couldn\u2019t make a connection from close range and his wait for a Championship goal continued.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Kyogo at least connected with Kai Wagner\u2019s cross early in the second half but he could only knee the ball wide.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Ronald almost doubled Swansea\u2019s lead in the 56th minute when he smashed a shot against the outside of the post after Blues had failed to clear a corner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Jay Stansfield\u2019s introduction followed that missed Swansea chance and the game swung in Blues\u2019 favour.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The equaliser arrived in the 72nd minute and it was no surprise that it came via the Wagner supply-line. The German\u2019s cross was flicked by Ducksch into the path of Roberts who, on his weaker right side this time, skipped by his marker and lashed a shot in off the underside of the crossbar.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Swansea substitute Liam Cullen had the final chance of note but his header hit the underside of the crossbar before bouncing away to safety.<\/p>\n<p>Get the latest Blues headlines sent straight to your phone<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">BirminghamLive has its very own <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/birmingham-city-fc\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Birmingham CityLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Birmingham City<\/a> WhatsApp community to deliver the latest headlines straight to your phone. Just <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/B9XQh6yFkASKxe76buz3SU\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"click this linkLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">click this link<\/a> to receive daily Blues content and breaking news. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. Click on the name at the top of your screen while in WhatsApp and click &#8216;Exit Group&#8217;. Read our <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reachplc.com\/site-services\/privacy-policy\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">James Beadle 7<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Showed good hands a couple of times to hold onto long range efforts and generally distributed the ball well. One fantastic save from Franco in the first half.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Tomoki Iwata 7<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Iwata had a good battle with Eom and stepped in decisively a few times to power forward with the ball. Iwata showed his strength to stop Cullen from breaking through midfield late on.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Phil Neumann 7<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Neumann recovered well to prevent Eom from scoring early on and made other important defensive contributions.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_JS393338685.jpg\" alt=\"Birmingham City defender Phil Neumann closes down Swansea's Eom Ji-Sung \" loading=\"lazy\"  \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Birmingham City defender Phil Neumann closes down Swansea's Eom Ji-Sung \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Birmingham City defender Phil Neumann closes down Swansea&#8217;s Eom Ji-Sung (Image: )<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Christoph Klarer 7<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A colossus in the air, taking charge on Swansea\u2019s set pieces to ensure Blues\u2019 goal wasn&#8217;t breached via that method. No player on the pitch won more headers than Klarer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Kai Wagner 6.5<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">If Wagner needed a lesson in how frenetic the Championship can be, he got one at Swansea. The left-back was slow to the ball and Ronald, with the assist for Vipotnik, punished him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He did, however, make up for it with a quality delivery into the box that eventually led to Roberts\u2019 equaliser.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Tommy Doyle 6.5<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">There were a few useful set pieces from Doyle who battled Swansea\u2019s talented midfielders to ensure Blues weren\u2019t found wanting away from home on this occasion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Paik Seung-ho 7.5<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">One of Paik\u2019s best away performances of the season. He was more dynamic in possession and filled spaces well when Blues didn\u2019t have the ball.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Patrick Roberts 7.5*<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Roberts got into the game after half-time and popped up all over the place before showing skill and composure to net the equaliser.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Marvin Ducksch 6.5<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Ducksch had two chances to pull the trigger in the first half but he dallied and allowed Swansea to get bodies back. You couldn\u2019t fault his effort and he played his part in the equaliser with a flick to Roberts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Lewis Koumas 6.5<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The speed of Koumas caused Swansea problems in the first half but they nullified his threat after half-time. He could have taken more care in possession at times.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_JS393341655.jpg\" alt=\"Ronald of Swansea City and Lewis Koumas of Birmingham City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Birmingham City at the Swansea.com Stadium\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Ronald of Swansea City and Lewis Koumas of Birmingham City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Birmingham City at the Swansea.com Stadium\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Ronald of Swansea City and Lewis Koumas of Birmingham City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Birmingham City at the Swansea.com Stadium(Image: )<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Kyogo Furuhashi 5.5<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Kyogo pressed with purpose, as ever, but we are judging him on his ability to put chances away and when the ball reached him either side of half-time, he couldn\u2019t make a telling connection.<\/p>\n<p>SUBS<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Jay Stansfield (for Kyogo, 56) 7<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Stansfield\u2019s arrival was the catalyst for an improvement from Blues in the second half. There isn\u2019t anyone in this team who presses as well as Stansfield and his teammates responded to his insatiable appetite to win the ball back.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Willum Willumsson (for Ducksch, 85) N\/A<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Not used: <\/strong>Allsop, Sampsted, Burrell, Mazwi, Fujimoto, Wright, Isichei<\/p>\n<p>How did you rate the players? <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/sport\/football\/football-news\/birmingham-city-player-ratings-swansea-33253662#comments-wrapper\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Tell us in the comments...Link opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Tell us in the comments&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Birmingham City sealed a point against Swansea City with a battling 1-1 draw 19:33, 17 Jan 2026Updated 20:00,&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":703250,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[2],"tags":[1205,748,393,4884,1206,12,1144,56890,712,14592,16,15,1764],"class_list":["post-703249","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news","tag-birmingham-city-fc","tag-britain","tag-england","tag-great-britain","tag-jay-stansfield","tag-news","tag-northern-ireland","tag-patrick-roberts","tag-scotland","tag-swansea-city-fc","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-wales"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115913506551416275","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/703249","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=703249"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/703249\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/703250"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=703249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=703249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=703249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}