Birmingham City secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Middlesbrough on Friday night, with youngster Odin Bailey scoring the decisive goal in the 89th minute.

Pep Clotet's side went into the clash at St. Andrew's on the back of three successive defeats, so there was a bit of pressure building on the Spaniard.

However, Blues responded with a magnificent display and it was remarkable that they needed the late winner to seal the points.

Darren Randolph made a string of excellent saves before Fran Villalba's opener and even though Boro gradually grew into the game, the 87th minute leveller from Daniel Ayala was totally undeserved.

But, it didn't matter, as Bailey headed home the winner and here we look at THREE things we learnt from the victory about Blues...

Jude Bellingham can star in a central role

Clotet was brave in his team selection, handing 16-year-old sensation Bellingham a start in the middle of the park in an adventurous 4-4-2 formation. And, it was a decision that paid off spectacularly.

The teenager, along with Ivan Sunjic, was magnificent in midfield, with the duo controlling the play with their ability on the ball whilst they closed the space down very well to ensure Blues won the ball back quickly.

Bellingham has played in various roles since breaking into the team but he proved on Friday that his future can be in the centre of midfield.

They have set the bar in terms of performances

The new boss vowed to bring a more attacking, easy on the eye approach to Blues but in truth there had been no signs of that up until the Boro game.

Blues have been predictable and boring at times, however they were superb against Jonathan Woodgate's men. They pressed with intensity, played with purpose and created chance after chance. A four or five goal winning margin would have been a fair reflection of their dominance and it gives the team a platform to build on moving forward.

They need to be more clinical

Despite the positives, Blues could have dropped two points after Ayala's late equaliser and it would have been a travesty - although they would only have had themselves to blame.

The hosts missed several clear chances to wrap the points up and it was the only real negative that Clotet will have from the game.

 

[freshpress-poll ]