PA
Che Adams celebrates his goal
Birmingham vs Cardiff LIVE
86: Oh dear.
Neil Warnock used up all three of his substitutions and one of his replacements, Aron Gunnarsson, is forced off with an injury.
He was a doubt before the game and Warnock has paid the price for gambling with his fitness.
81: DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION!
Cardiff bring on forward Danny Ward for midfielder Joe Ralls while Junior Hoilett is replaced by Liam Feeney.
75: Michael Morrison is putting in a man-of-the-match display here.
Kenneth Zohore picks out Nathaniel Mendez-Laing in the box but Morrison slides in and blocks the Cardiff winger’s effort.
72: PENALTY? NO.
Birmingham forward Che Adams is a lucky boy. He is beaten to a loose ball in the box by Joe Bennett and the Cardiff left-back goes down, clutching his head.
The referee waves away appeals from the away fans.
67: SUBSTITUTION!
Craig Bryson is replaced by Aron Gunnarsson.
That’ll provide a bit more steel to Cardiff’s midfield.
59: Michael Morrison is having a terrific night at the back for Birmingham.
Cardiff striker Kenneth Zohore is in space on the wing and floats the ball over but Morrison beats Junior Hoilett at the back post.
55: CLOSE!
Michael Morrison heads the ball in the box, Che Adams fires at goal but it’s blocked by his team-mate.
Jacques Maghoma strikes the rebound at goal but Bruno Ecuele Manga clears off the line.
48: An early chance for Birmingham as Isaac Vassell tries his luck from the edge of the box but it’s a comfortable save for Neil Etheridge.
46: PEEP! We’re back underway. Can Birmingham hold on for a win in Steve Cotterill’s first game?
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Cardiff boss Neil Warnock
45+1: PEEP! Birmingham head into the changing room to a round of applause from the home fans.
Steve Cotterill will be pleased by what he’s seen from his players.
They have controlled the game against the Championship leaders and lead thanks to Che Adams’ fine strike.
43: Michael Morrison, take a bow!
Cardiff striker Kenneth Zohore sprints into the box, he crosses for Junior Hoilett but Morrison is there to block.
Craig Bryson attempts on the follow up but his shot deflects wide.
40: Cardiff finally get the ball out wide to Junior Hoilett in space, he dribbles to the edge of the box and lets fly but his shot flies past the post.
35: Penalty? NO!
Kenneth Zohore drives into the box and goes to ground after a challenge from Che Adams.
The referee waves away the Cardiff striker’s appeals and the crowd boo him in pantomime fashion.
28: CLANG! Birmingham midfielder David Davis breaks down the right wing and sends over a cross which grazes the crossbar.
25: Cardiff striker Kenneth Zohore finds space in the box, he cuts the ball back for Junior Hoilett but Maxime Colin clears.
That’s a bit more like it from Cardiff.
19: GOAL! We have the first goal of the Steve Cotterill era!
Che Adams picks up on a loose ball from Cardiff keeper Neil Etheridge, dances around a couple of defenders and fires a low shot from the edge of the box into the corner of the net.
16: Birmingham are on top here and Steve Cotterill will be pleased with his side’s efforts.
However, the new boss will be less pleased with Jacques Maghoma’s corner, which fails to beat the first man.
10: A well-worked short corner presents a crossing opportunity for Jacques Maghoma but Che Adams slips just as the ball is about to reach him.
6: Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce is in the crowd at St Andrew’s.
Villa play Birmingham in the first Second City Derby of the season in a couple of weeks’ time.
1: PEEP! We’re underway at St Andrew’s. Can Birmingham climb out of the relegation zone or will Cardiff extend their lead at the top of the table?
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Birmingham boss Steve Cotterill
7.35pm: There could be handbags on the touchline tonight – between Steve Cotterill and Neil Warnock!
“There’s a great chance that [a row] will happen,” Cotterill said. “But that won’t mean I won’t have respect for him, or that I don’t like him.”
7.30pm: Neil Warnock has also been speaking to Sky Sports and he said: “It’ll be interesting to see how we cope.
“I think they’ll be really at us. We know what we’re up for.”
7.25pm: Steve Cotterill has been speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the game.
Birmingham head into the game in the relegation zone and when asked what they’ve been working on during the international break, he said: “Everything. All aspects of the game.”
They’ve been busy.
6.50pm: The line ups are out. Birmingham’s record signing Jota is on the bench while Cardiff make one change.
Birmingham: Kuszczak, Colin, Morrison, Roberts, Grounds, Davis, Ndoye, Kieftenbeld, Maghoma, Adams, Vassell
Subs: Trueman, Dean, Gleeson, Gardner, Jota, Gallagher, Jutkiewicz
Cardiff: Etheridge, Peltier, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Bennett, Bamba, Bryson, Ralls, Hoilett, Mendez-Laing, Zohore
Subs: Murphy, Tomlin, Ward, Feeney, Connolly, Gunnarsson, Damour
6.45pm: Welcome to Express Sport‘s live coverage of Birmingham vs Cardiff. Line ups to follow in a minute.
PREVIEW
Steve Cotterill takes charge of Blues for the first time since replacing Harry Redknapp in the dugout.
“It’s a great moment for me,” he said.
“It’s a real family club and you just get the sense that everyone is in it together.
Birmingham could have record signing Jota available after a hamstring injury.
Cardiff boss Neil Warnock is delighted with his side’s start to the campaign but is refusing to get carried away.
“I don’t think there’s any expectations on us,” Warnock said.
“We don’t have to worry about that, as I don’t think our fans expected anything other than, ‘Can we try and get in the play-offs?’.
“I won’t let anyone get carried away – not even our fans. I don’t mind them dreaming, but not getting carried away.
Aron Gunnarsson will be assessed after helping Iceland to World Cup qualification.