Birmingham City ran out 2-0 winners over Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday
17:01, 31 Jan 2026Updated 17:10, 31 Jan 2026
Marvin Ducksch of Birmingham City scores during the Sky Bet Championship match between Oxford United and Birmingham City at Kassam Stadium
Birmingham City extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to six games with a 2-0 win over relegation battlers Oxford United.
Blues recorded their fourth away victory in the Championship thanks to goals from Myles Peart-Harris (OG) and Marvin Ducksch.
Both teams needed the points for very different reasons so it was no surprise that the game started tentatively at the Kassam Stadium.
Aside from a Blues corner and a couple of Oxford long throw-ins, neither team posed a great threat before Ibrahim Osman scampered down the left wing to win a free-kick midway through the half.
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With Tommy Doyle benched for Jhon Solis, Paik Seung-ho took charge and drilled the ball into the danger area. Peart-Harris could only divert the ball past his own goalkeeper and, for only the third time this season, Blues struck first away from home.
Chaos ensued inside Oxford’s penalty area when Osman twisted Sam Long inside out and flashed a ball across. Ducksch, Solis and Tomoki Iwata tried but failed to work home goalkeeper Jamie Cumming.
Blues skipper Christoph Klarer escaped the clutches of former teammate Ben Davies to glance Kai Wagner’s right-wing corner over the crossbar as Chris Davies’ side searched for a second.
Somehow Blues failed to double their lead at the beginning of the second half. Jay Stansfield was played through by Ducksch and opted to square the ball to Osman instead of looking to end his now 13-game goal drought. Osman rushed in at the far post but could only connect with the woodwork and Oxford were let off the hook.
Davies introduced Carlos Vicente and August Priske on the hour and the former needed six minutes to make a telling contribution.
Vicente showed poise on the edge of the box with bodies in front of him to create a shooting chance for Ducksch and the German swept the ball into the corner.
James Beadle wasn’t overly worked in the Blues goal but the 21-year-old stayed alert and preserved his clean sheet with an excellent save from Ole Romeny late on.
There was one final chance for Priske to open his Blues account but Oxford stopper Jamie Cumming produced a very good save at his near post.
A second successive three points away from St Andrew’s means Blues have kept pace with the Championship’s top-six. The gap remains five points.
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James Beadle 7
There were some commanding claims from the goalkeeper on his return to another one of his former homes. A very good stop from Romeny late on for another clean sheet.
Tomoki Iwata 7
Iwata wasn’t troubled much defensively and marauded forward in support of Roberts and Vicente before his game was cut short by injury.
Phil Neumann 7
Much like his previous two away performances, Neumann was solid and assured. Maybe the defender has turned a corner.
Christoph Klarer 8
A solid showing from Klarer in the heart of Blues’ defence to deal with Oxford’s aerial pressure. Klarer went close to a goal with a header in the first half.
Kai Wagner 8
The left-back is proving to be a solid citizen. Wagner was a tad suspect at Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday, but he was much sharper defensively against Oxford. Got back to deny Placheta a goal-scoring chance late on.
Jhon Solis 8.5
The travelling faithful debuted a ditty for the Colombian that isn’t for print but it showed what they thought of his first start. Solis was dominant in midfield, on and off the ball, and allowed Paik to perform away from home.
Paik Seung-ho 7.5
There was a feeling that whoever was trusted to play alongside Solis might benefit from the extra freedom and Paik did. This was one of his best away games this season.
Patrick Roberts 6.5
Roberts has Vicente breathing down his neck but they are so different in style that it’s likely to be horses for courses in terms of selection. Roberts responded to the competition with a positive display.
Marvin Ducksch 8
Ducksch is delivering at the moment. The forward continued his good form with another goal and picked up some intelligent positions to combine with his teammates.
Marvin Ducksch of Birmingham City celebrates scoring during the Sky Bet Championship match between Oxford United and Birmingham City at Kassam Stadium
Ibrahim Osman 8
A real livewire down the left. As soon as Osman realised he had the beating of Oxford’s defenders for pace it was game over. The winger was a thorn in their side.
Jay Stansfield 6.5
Stansfield stretched Oxford’s backline to create space for Ducksch in an energetic hour on the field. He should have backed himself when through on goal early in the second half but looked like a striker who hasn’t scored in 13 games.
SUBS
Carlos Vicente (for Roberts, 60) 7
Vicente showed his quality with a lovely assist for Ducksch’s clincher. Offered natural width and running power in an exciting debut.
August Priske (for Stansfield, 60) 6.5
Involved in Ducksch’s goal with a clever piece of link play and his second cameo off the bench was positive, like his first.
Bright Osayi-Samuel (for Iwata, 65) 6
An assured performance from Osayi-Samuel following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations. If Blues can get him playing well, it will be like having a new signing.
Scott Wright (for Osman, 87) N/A
Tommy Doyle (for Ducksch, 87) N/A
Not used: Allsop, Mazwi, Fujimoto, Kyogo
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