![\"Phil](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Birmingham-City-v-Southampton-Sky-Bet-Championship.jpg\")
Phil Neumann of Birmingham City celebrates(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\nBirmingham City played out a 1-1 draw with Southampton in their final home game of 2025<\/p>\n
22:19, 29 Dec 2025Updated 22:37, 29 Dec 2025<\/p>\n
Phil Neumann of Birmingham City celebrates(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
A controversial goal from Southampton substitute Cameron Archer denied Birmingham City a first win in six in their final game of 2025.<\/p>\n
Phil Neumann\u2019s header had Chris Davies\u2019 patched up side on the brink of three precious points before Archer drew Southampton level in the 71st minute.<\/p>\n
Blues are now six games without a victory and will play Watford on New Year\u2019s Day without their manager on the touchline after Davies was sent off.<\/p>\n
James Beadle made a bunch of impressive saves in Blues\u2019 defeat to Southampton three weeks ago and he was called into action inside two minutes.<\/p>\n
Southampton got in behind Eiran Cashin and the ball was worked across to Finn Azaz but Beadle closed down the angle and got his body behind the shot.<\/p>\n
Kyogo Furuhashi, who was starting his first game since September, didn\u2019t have to wait long for his first chance. Jay Stansfield\u2019s lob in behind Southampton\u2019s defence was delicate to find Kyogo, but the striker overcooked his finish and cleared the crossbar.<\/p>\n
Fresh from his first Blues goal on Boxing Day, Jack Robinson glanced a header wide of goal after being found by Patrick Roberts\u2019 right-wing cross.<\/p>\n
Blues\u2019 makeshift defence were called into action on the half-hour. Neumann blocked Adam Armstrong\u2019s goal-bound shot and Robinson flung himself in the way of the follow-up.<\/p>\n
Kyogo\u2019s second chance of the game arrived shortly before half-time when the ball dropped kindly for him inside Southampton\u2019s box. Kyogo got the connection wrong and skewed his effort wide of the goal.<\/p>\n
Blues were soon on the attack again and when a free-kick was earned in a good position on the left, Paik Seung-ho placed the ball down with intent. The South Korean ignored his teammates in the middle and fizzed a wicked effort towards the top corner that clipped the crossbar on its way over.<\/p>\n
Southampton got the ball rolling for the second half and were quickly awarded a free-kick. Ryan Manning\u2019s delivery was flicked goalwards by Taylor Harwood-Bellis but Beadle reacted sharply to keep the scores level.<\/p>\n
Blues went straight up the other end and took the lead from a set piece of their own. Paik\u2019s delivery was headed back across by Robinson and Neumann should have scored from close range.<\/p>\n
Neumann made no mistake when Robinson hooked it in his direction for a second time to loop a header over Gavin Bazunu.<\/p>\n
Bazunu prevented Stansfield from doubling Blues\u2019 lead soon after by tipping his 20-yard strike onto the post.<\/p>\n
Southampton equalised with 20 minutes to play and it came via ex-Aston Villa striker Archer who nudged a right-wing cross beyond Beadle.<\/p>\n
![\"Chris](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1767067872_154_0_Birmingham-City-v-Southampton-Sky-Bet-Championship.jpg\")
Chris Davies, Manager of Birmingham City(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Davies was furious after watching referee Matthew Donohue get in Tomoki Iwata\u2019s way when he was poised to collect the ball in the build-up to Archer\u2019s goal.<\/p>\n
The Blues manager never really cooled down and received a red card after throwing the ball away on the touchline.<\/p>\n
Blues had to defend for much of the remaining 15 minutes as Southampton pushed for a winner, but they held on to draw a third successive home game 1-1.<\/p>\n
Get the latest Blues headlines sent straight to your phone<\/p>\n
BirminghamLive has its very own Birmingham City<\/a> WhatsApp community to deliver the latest headlines straight to your phone. Just click this link<\/a> to receive daily Blues content and breaking news. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. Click on the name at the top of your screen while in WhatsApp and click ‘Exit Group’. Read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n James Beadle 7<\/p>\n Beadle made some very good stops to keep Southampton at bay before Archer\u2019s controversial effort. The goalkeeper didn\u2019t look assured with the ball at his feet and almost got caught a few times, but he didn\u2019t falter with his hands.<\/p>\n Alfons Sampsted 8<\/p>\n Where has he been hiding all season? A solid performance from Sampsted on his first Championship start to prove that he is more than capable of filling in at right-back.<\/p>\n Phil Neumann 8<\/p>\n The recalled centre-back produced one of his better performances in a Blues shirt. Neumann made some vital defensive interventions and scored his second goal for Blues.<\/p>\n Jack Robinson 8<\/p>\n Robinson has started to prove his worth for Blues of late. The experienced defender was Man of the Match against Derby and made some crucial blocks early on in this one.<\/p>\n Eiran Cashin 8<\/p>\n Cashin wasn\u2019t beaten by Fellows on too many occasions and got his foot in a few times to bail his team out. The type of showing Blues hoped for when they signed Cashin.<\/p>\n Tomoki Iwata 8<\/p>\n Iwata was always likely to be important against Southampton. They ran all over Blues\u2019 midfield when the two teams met three weeks ago and Iwata played at right-back. Not this time.<\/p>\n Paik Seung-ho 8*<\/p>\n Paik hasn\u2019t played like this enough this season. When he turns it on, there are few players as skilful and intelligent in this league, and we saw the best version of the South Korean against Southampton. Desperately unlucky with one free-kick that clipped the crossbar.<\/p>\n Patrick Roberts 6.5<\/p>\n Started brightly with a brilliant flick to put Sampsted in behind but Roberts faded in the second half.<\/p>\n Willum Willumsson 6.5<\/p>\n A mixed bag from Willumsson who provided height on defensive set pieces and composure in possession without ever really threatening to open up Saints.<\/p>\n Jay Stansfield 7.5<\/p>\n Stansfield started the game very well and created a good chance for Kyogo that wasn\u2019t taken. Playing as a left-winger, Stansfield carried the ball in the second hlf to relieve pressure and saw one effort from distance tipped onto the post by Bazunu.<\/p>\n Kyogo Furuhashi 7<\/p>\n Kyogo got his start and pressed like his life depended on it. The Japanese striker constantly triggered Blues\u2019 press and produced a performance that Marvin Ducksch wouldn\u2019t. The only problem with Kyogo is his finishing and there were another two gilt-edged misses to add to his collection.<\/p>\n SUBS<\/p>\n Lewis Koumas (for Stansfield, 69) 6.5<\/p>\n A better cameo from the on-loan Liverpool man who was a willing runner and won a dangerous free-kick late on.<\/p>\n Marvin Ducksch (for Kyogo, 69) 6<\/p>\n Didn’t offer the running power Blues needed in behind during the closing steges.<\/p>\n Marc Leonard (for Roberts, 82) N\/A<\/p>\n Not used: Allsop, Burrell, Mazwi, Fujimoto, Isichei, Dykes<\/p>\n![\"Patrick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1767067872_137_0_Birmingham-City-v-Southampton-Sky-Bet-Championship.jpg\")
Patrick Roberts of Birmingham City battles for possession with Flynn Downes and Ryan Manning of Southampton(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Jay](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Birmingham-City-v-Southampton-Sky-Bet-Championship-Football-St-Andrews-at-Knighthead-Park-Birm.jpg\")
Jay Stansfield of Birmingham City(Image: Phil Bryan\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n