Che Adams gives Steve Cotterill perfect start as Birmingham stun Cardiff

Birmingham City, under the new management of Steve Cotterill, moved out of the relegation zone with an impressive 1-0 Championship home win over the league leaders, Cardiff City.
An obviously fired-up Birmingham clinched a much-needed victory as a result of a fine individual first-half goal from Che Adams to give them optimism for the future.
Cotterill, in his first game in charge, was obviously delighted with the success and spirit shown by his team while his opposite number, Neil Warnock, was far from pleased with the outcome.
Birmingham’s success was warmly received as it was also something of a milestone as they had won only one of their previous 11 league games against Cardiff.
Following the hosts’ humiliating 6-1 hammering in their previous game at Hull City there was an obvious impression that Birmingham were keen to make amends.
The return of the enthusiastic Adams to link up with the tenacious Isaac Vassell gave them fresh impetus to improve their miserable record of only two wins in 11 games.
High-flying Cardiff were apparently fully aware of the potential threat and were generally in control and able to snuff out any potential early danger. In the 14th minute, however, they were powerless to keep out a persistent Adams. He gained possession way out on the left from the goalkeeper Neil Etheridge’s misplaced clearance and embarked on a solo run. The Cardiff defence retreated as Adams created space for himself to fire home a low, raking shot to the left of Etheridge.
It was a terrific boost for Birmingham under their new management team. Cardiff attempted to play themselves back into contention with Joe Ralls setting up several good moves. But Birmingham had their tails up and fought for everything.
The Welsh club’s best chance of an equaliser came when Junior Hoilett cut in from the right only to fire wide. Birmingham took their newly acquired attacking policy into the second half but were forced to hang on as Cardiff battered the home side in their unsuccessful bid to grab an equaliser.

SOURCE : GUARDIAN SPORTS
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