Birmingham and Stoke City played out a 1-1 draw at St. Andrew's, Birmingham, in the Championship's thrilling 29th round. The match saw Tomoki Iwata put the home side ahead in the 42nd minute, courtesy of an assist from J. Stansfield. However, the drama unfolded late when Phil Neumann's unfortunate own goal in the 71st minute allowed Stoke to leave Birmingham with a point.

Second-Half Turnaround Defines the Contest

After a first half where Birmingham appeared to control proceedings, the momentum shifted. Stoke City, though not having many shots on target, capitalized on their chances. Substitutions by Birmingham included I. Osman and T. Doyle entering just after halftime, but the game-changing moment came from a defensive mishap, rather than attacking flair.

Statistics Highlight Birmingham's Missed Opportunities

Birmingham's offensive efforts were evident with 18 total shots, yet only 5 found the target. In contrast, Stoke managed just a single shot on goal. Despite having less possession at 45%, Birmingham's expected goals of 1.87 mirrored their attacking intent but also underscored their inefficiency in finishing.

A Glimpse Towards Future Fixtures

Birmingham's recent form has been inconsistent, with several draws punctuating their campaign. This match continues their trend of drawing fixtures they might have won. For Stoke, the draw halts their recent momentum but maintains a steady climb up the table. Both teams will be looking to convert these hard-fought draws into victories as the season progresses.

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