Bosun Lawal’s first Stoke goal enough to secure victory against Birmingham

Bosun Lawal’s first goal for Stoke earned them a deserved 1-0 Championship win over Birmingham at the Bet365 Stadium.

The Irish defender headed in Aaron Cresswell’s 21st-minute corner to hand last season’s runaway League One champions a third successive defeat in all competitions.

Mark Robins’ only complaint would be that his much-improved side failed to make the final outcome more comfortable.

Birmingham, beaten 2-0 at Leicester before the international break, were fortunate not to be further behind at half-time.

And while Blues improved in a much less eventful second half, they lacked a cutting edge to save a point or even threaten a third league win since their second-tier arrival.

For Stoke, who handed a debut to impressive Slovakia international Tomas Rigo, it was the perfect way to rally from their previous home defeat by West Brom.

They have now won four of their first five league games and look set for their most productive campaign in years.

The home side had already warned Birmingham of their intent, minutes before centre-half Lawal broke the deadlock.

Ryan Allsop saved a Divin Mubama header, though the newly-capped England Under-21 international was immediately flagged offside.

There was nothing wrong with the striker’s next effort, a neat flick to meet Million Manhoef’s superb cross from the right.

Allsop saved at the expense of a corner but moments later was picking the ball out of his net.

Cresswell’s delivery was a deep one, Lawal jumped highest and looped the ball over Allsop and into the far corner.

Stoke surged forward in search of a second goal and keeper Victor Johansson’s long punt reached the unmarked Sorba Thomas.

His angled shot was a fierce one but fortuitously for Blues it smacked against an upright and cannoned behind for a corner.

Little had been seen of Jay Stansfield, back in harness after missing the defeat at Leicester with an ankle injury.

But six minutes from half-time he connected with Ethan Laird’s cross, only for Lawal to produce a timely block.

Stansfield had a clearer chance after 52 minutes but shot wide from Tommy Doyle’s delivery.

Six minutes later the striker was sent clear by Doyle’s raking pass and appeared to have suffered more ankle trouble under Ben Wilmot’s brilliant tackle.

But he soldiered on and was not part of a triple substitution on the hour as Birmingham boss Chris Davies sought a way back into the contest.

Substitute Lewis Koumas provided one such opportunity but Demarai Gray’s final volley was a poor one.

Birmingham enjoyed plenty of possession in the final 20 minutes but did not produce one shot on target in the entire contest.