SWANS: Stansfield double sinks 10-man Swansea as Birmingham go top

A late strike from captain Jay Stansfield sent Birmingham City to the top of the Championship as they beat 10-man Swansea City 2-1 at St Andrew’s this afternoon.

The Swans made the better start, but Ross Stewart had an early penalty saved. Marko Stamenic was then sent off in the 26th minute for a heavy challenge on former Swans full-back Ethan Laird.

Stansfield put Birmingham ahead soon after, and a Christoph Klarer own goal brought the Swans level. Stansfield’s deflected strike won it late on.

It is a third defeat in four for Vitor Matos’ side, who drop to sixth.

Four changes after Fratton Park

Matos made four changes from the 3-1 defeat at Portsmouth in midweek. Captain Ben Cabango, Jisung Eom, Moussa Yeo and Stewart all came into the side.

Stewart penalty saved by Allsop

The Swans had the chance to lead early on. Alex Cochrane was penalised for holding Jenson Seelt at a corner, but Ryan Allsop guessed right to keep out Stewart’s spot-kick.

If Birmingham felt justice had been done, they were relieved again when Gonçalo Franco headed Eom’s cross against the post.

Stamenic red card, then Stansfield strikes

Then the game turned. Referee Anthony Backhouse sent Stamenic off for his challenge on Laird.

Birmingham went ahead with their first real attack. Stansfield arrived to sweep home Patrick Roberts’ pull-back.

It nearly got worse before the break. Lawrence Vigouroux made a double save in quick succession from Liam Millar and Max Bird to keep the Swans only one behind.

Klarer own goal brings the Swans level

The 10 men battled to stay in the game, and drew level when defender Klarer turned Josh Tymon’s corner into his own net.

For a while it looked as though Birmingham would pay for their missed chances.

Franco injury and late heartbreak

Instead, the closing stages brought heartbreak. Seconds after Franco went off with what looked like a bad hamstring injury, Stansfield’s deflected shot flew in for his second of the day.

The Swans will reflect on what might have been. They were the more threatening side before Stamenic’s early exit.

Birmingham go top as the Swans drop to sixth

It is a seventh win in nine for Chris Davies’ side, and a fourth in a row at home. Birmingham now share top spot with Middlesbrough and Stoke City.

The Swans drop to sixth, five points behind the new leaders.

Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux; Filip Lissah, Ben Cabango (captain), Jenson Seelt, Josh Tymon; Jay Fulton (Melker Widell 80), Marko Stamenic, Gonçalo Franco (Joseph Opoku 86); Moussa Yeo (Elijah Just 60), Jisung Eom (Josh Key 46), Ross Stewart (Zan Vipotnik 60).