Match report

Southampton Defeats Birmingham 3-1 in Championship Clash

Southampton
Southampton
3–1
FT
Birmingham
Birmingham
Dec 6, 2025

Southampton triumphed over Birmingham, securing a vital victory in their quest for promotion in the Championship. Goals from F. Azaz and a brace by Adam Armstrong saw them maintain control of the game despite Birmingham's brief resurgence through D. Gray's effort.

Key Facts

  • • F. Azaz scored at minute 6, assisted by L. Scienza.
  • • Adam Armstrong netted Southampton's second goal at minute 24, with an assist from F. Azaz.
  • • D. Gray reduced the deficit for Birmingham in the 54th minute with an assist from A. Cochrane.
  • • Adam Armstrong scored his second of the match in the 58th minute.
  • • Tomoki Iwata received a yellow card for Birmingham at the 49th minute.

Lineups

Southampton

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 31 G. Bazunu (G)
  • 6 T. Harwood-Bellis (D)
  • 15 N. Wood (D)
  • 5 J. Stephens (D)
  • 18 T. Fellows (M)
  • 4 F. Downes (M)
  • 20 C. Jander (M)
  • 3 R. Manning (M)
  • 10 F. Azaz (F)
  • 13 L. Scienza (F)
  • 9 A. Armstrong (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 A. McCarthy
  • 17 J. Quarshie
  • 12 R. Edwards
  • 28 O. Romeu
  • 48 C. Bragg
  • 26 R. Fraser
  • 7 J. Aribo
  • 46 J. Robinson
  • 19 C. Archer

Birmingham

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 25 J. Beadle (G)
  • 24 T. Iwata (D)
  • 5 P. Neumann (D)
  • 4 C. Klarer (D)
  • 20 A. Cochrane (D)
  • 7 T. Doyle (M)
  • 8 Paik Seung-Ho (M)
  • 16 P. Roberts (M)
  • 28 J. Stansfield (M)
  • 10 D. Gray (M)
  • 33 M. Ducksch (F)

Substitutes

  • 21 R. Allsop
  • 26 B. Osayi-Samuel
  • 41 E. Cashin
  • 6 J. Robinson
  • 12 M. Leonard
  • 14 K. Anderson
  • 30 L. Koumas
  • 17 L. Dykes
  • 9 K. Furuhashi

Timeline

  1. Southampton
    6' Southampton Goal · Normal Goal
    F. Azaz · Assist: L. Scienza
  2. Southampton
    24' Southampton Goal · Normal Goal
    Adam Armstrong · Assist: F. Azaz
  3. Birmingham
    49' Birmingham Card · Yellow Card
    Tomoki Iwata

    Foul

  4. Birmingham
    54' Birmingham Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Gray · Assist: A. Cochrane
  5. Southampton
    58' Southampton Goal · Normal Goal
    Adam Armstrong
  6. Birmingham
    59' Birmingham subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Cochrane · On: Jack Robinson
  7. Birmingham
    59' Birmingham subst · Substitution 2
    Off: M. Ducksch · On: K. Furuhashi
  8. Southampton
    63' Southampton subst · Substitution 1
    Off: L. Scienza · On: J. Robinson
  9. Southampton
    63' Southampton subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Adam Armstrong · On: C. Archer
  10. Birmingham
    80' Birmingham subst · Substitution 3
    Off: P. Roberts · On: Keshi Anderson
  11. Southampton
    80' Southampton subst · Substitution 4
    Off: F. Azaz · On: J. Aribo
  12. Birmingham
    86' Birmingham subst · Substitution 4
    Off: D. Gray · On: L. Koumas
  13. Birmingham
    86' Birmingham subst · Substitution 5
    Off: J. Stansfield · On: L. Dykes
  14. Southampton
    87' Southampton subst · Substitution 5
    Off: T. Fellows · On: R. Edwards
  15. Southampton
    90'+2 Southampton Card · Yellow Card
    J. Aribo

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Southampton Birmingham
Fouls 9 11
Pass Accuracy 79% 86%
Offsides 0 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 18 22
Corners 7 8
Total Passes 291 407
Yellow Cards 1 1
Blocked Shots 1 8
Shots on Target 8 4
xG 2.08 2.01
Shots off Target 9 10
Possession 40% 60%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 231 348
Shots Inside Box 9 14
Saves 3 5
Shots Outside Box 9 8

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Southampton's early lead through F. Azaz and Adam Armstrong's brace in the first half kept them firmly in control of the match.
  • ▸ Birmingham briefly threatened a comeback after D. Gray scored, but Southampton's resilience and effective substitutions ensured they maintained their advantage.