Swansea City’s eight-game unbeaten run came to a cruel end at St Andrew’s as Lyndon Dykes’ injury-time header sealed a dramatic 1-0 win for Birmingham City. In a full-blooded contest played out in front of a sell-out crowd, the Swans matched their hosts for intensity and invention, and looked set to leave with a hard-earned point.
Zan Vipotnik had a first-half goal controversially ruled out for offside, and Swansea created the better chances before the break. Zeidane Inoussa and Vipotnik both went close, while Lawrence Vigouroux produced a string of saves to keep Birmingham at bay.
But with nine minutes added on, Birmingham found a late breakthrough. Substitute Patrick Roberts delivered a pinpoint cross, and Dykes rose highest to nod home and snatch all three points. It was a bitter blow for Alan Sheehan’s side, who had defended bravely and looked the more composed outfit for long spells.
⚽ First Half Report
The opening 45 minutes at St Andrew’s were a showcase of high-tempo, end-to-end football, with Swansea City more than holding their own against a Birmingham side unbeaten at home since April 2024. Alan Sheehan’s men made seven changes from their midweek Carabao Cup win, and the refreshed lineup settled quickly into the contest.
The first big chance fell to Zan Vipotnik, who was seeking his sixth goal in as many games. A slick move saw Ronald whip in a low cross from the right, but the Slovenian striker lifted his effort over the bar from close range. Moments later, Zeidane Inoussa burst through on the counter, beating his man but firing straight at Ryan Allsop.
Then came the game’s most contentious moment. After Birmingham failed to clear their lines, Josh Tymon delivered a deep cross to the far post, where Vipotnik turned it home. The linesman’s flag went up instantly for offside, but replays suggested a Birmingham defender may have played the Swansea forward onside. With no VAR in operation, the decision stood, much to the frustration of the travelling support.
Birmingham responded with chances of their own. Marvin Ducksch spun Ben Cabango and forced a sharp save from Vigouroux, while Jay Stansfield’s low effort was comfortably held. Swansea’s back line, marshalled by Cabango and Burgess, stood firm under pressure, with Josh Key making a vital intervention to deny Lewis Koumas a clear shot on goal.
Despite the goalless scoreline, the first half was rich in drama and attacking intent. Swansea looked the more fluid side in transition, and had legitimate cause to feel aggrieved heading into the break.
⏱️ Second Half Report
The second half began with a scare for Swansea as Lewis Koumas headed across goal from a Jay Stansfield cross, narrowly missing Marvin Ducksch at the far post. It was a warning shot from Birmingham, who began to assert themselves with a series of long throws and set-pieces.
Swansea weathered the storm and responded through Inoussa, who burned Christoph Klarer for pace before teeing up Vipotnik. The striker’s attempted backheel was blocked, and the Swans continued to look dangerous on the break. Vigouroux remained alert, saving well from Ducksch and then denying Kyogo Furuhashi moments after his introduction.
As the game wore on, the tempo dipped. Substitutions disrupted the rhythm, and both sides struggled to create clear openings. Demarai Gray’s solo run ended with a low shot saved by Vigouroux, while Tommy Doyle’s curling effort whistled past the post in the dying minutes.
Then came the sucker punch. Birmingham recycled possession after a blocked effort, and substitute Patrick Roberts delivered a pinpoint cross for Lyndon Dykes to head home in the 94th minute.
It was a brutal end for Swansea, who had defended resolutely and looked set to extend their unbeaten run. The late goal was a dagger to the heart, undoing 90 minutes of disciplined, determined football.
🧮 Player Ratings
- Lawrence Vigouroux – 8: Made several key saves and was unlucky to concede.
- Josh Key – 7: Solid defensively and made a crucial first-half tackle.
- Ben Cabango – 8: Led by example and produced a heroic block late on.
- Cameron Burgess – 7: Composed and physical throughout.
- Josh Tymon – 7: Provided attacking thrust and the cross for the disallowed goal.
- Marko Stamenic – 6: Quiet but tidy in midfield.
- Goncalo Franco – 6: Worked hard but faded in the second half.
- Ethan Galbraith – 6: Neat in possession, lacked penetration.
- Ronald – 7: Dangerous in wide areas, created chances.
- Zeidane Inoussa – 7: Lively and direct, unlucky not to score.
- Zan Vipotnik – 7: Denied a legitimate goal, always a threat.
Man of the Match: Lawrence Vigouroux
Manager Rating: Alan Sheehan – 7: Set the team up well and nearly got the result his side deserved.
🧑⚖️ Referee Report
Referee John Busby oversaw a high-intensity fixture with minimal fuss. While the offside call against Vipotnik was contentious, it was the assistant referee’s decision, and without VAR, Busby had no recourse. He managed the game’s physicality well and kept control during a frenetic finish.
Referee Rating: 6/10
🎙️ Post-Match Reactions
Alan Sheehan cut a frustrated but proud figure in his post-match interview. The interim head coach praised the effort and commitment of his players, highlighting how they had executed the game plan and matched Birmingham in every department. “We’re gutted,” he admitted. “It was a game of fine margins. We had chances, a goal that’s arguably onside, and the players gave everything. I can’t fault their effort.”
Sheehan also pointed to the disallowed goal as a turning point, noting that without VAR, decisions like that can swing games unfairly. Despite the result, he remained upbeat about the team’s trajectory, stressing the importance of maintaining belief and building on the performance.
Chris Davies, meanwhile, was full of praise for his Birmingham side. The Blues boss felt his team had earned the win through persistence and late pressure. “We fully deserved the win,” he said. “It came late, but we were the better team. The subs made a big impact, and it was a really good goal to win it.”
Davies singled out Patrick Roberts for his delivery and Dykes for his movement, crediting the squad’s depth and mentality. He acknowledged Swansea’s quality but felt Birmingham’s home form and resilience were key in grinding out the result.
📊 Match Stats
| Stat | Birmingham City | Swansea City |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 1 | 0 |
| Possession | 52% | 48% |
| Total Shots | 14 | 9 |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 3 |
| Shots off Target | 6 | 4 |
| Blocked Shots | 3 | 2 |
| Corners | 6 | 4 |
| Offsides | 2 | 3 |
| Fouls Committed | 11 | 10 |
| Yellow Cards | 5 | 4 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Big Chances | 2 | 1 |
| Big Chances Missed | 1 | 1 |
| Saves | 3 | 4 |
| Passes | 468 | 437 |
| Pass Accuracy | 83% | 81% |
🧵 Closing Summary
Swansea City left St Andrew’s empty-handed but not without pride. Alan Sheehan’s side matched Birmingham stride for stride, created the better first-half chances, and defended with grit and organisation. The disallowed goal will linger in the minds of players and fans alike, especially given the inconclusive nature of replays.
Ultimately, it was a single lapse in injury time that proved costly. With the defence stretched and Birmingham pressing, Dykes found space to deliver the decisive blow. It was a harsh lesson in the importance of concentration and resilience in the dying moments.
Despite the defeat, Swansea’s performance offered plenty of positives. The team looked cohesive, competitive, and capable of troubling any opponent. The challenge now is to regroup and respond.
🔜 Who’s Next
Swansea City return to the Swansea.com Stadium next Saturday for a 12:30pm kick-off against Millwall. The Lions will pose a physical test, but Sheehan’s side will be eager to bounce back and reassert their home form.