Match report

Watford Defeats Birmingham 3-0 in Championship Clash

Watford
Watford
3–0
FT
Birmingham
Birmingham
Jan 1, 2026

Watford demonstrated their dominance as they defeated Birmingham by a score of 3-0 on Sunday. The Hornets were clinical throughout the game, with T. Ince scoring all three goals in different phases of the match to secure the victory. Despite some late substitutions and tactical adjustments from both sides, Watford maintained control and extended their lead in the Championship standings.

Key Facts

  • • Watford's T. Ince scored all three goals (9', 38', 60')
  • • G. Chakvetadze provided an assist for Watford's first goal
  • • N. Irankunda assisted the third goal by T. Ince
  • • Matthew Pollock received a yellow card for Watford in the 43rd minute
  • • Birmingham had multiple substitutions, including M. Leonard off and A. Sampsted on

Lineups

Watford

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 E. Selvik (G)
  • 25 J. Abankwah (D)
  • 6 M. Pollock (D)
  • 3 M. Alleyne (D)
  • 16 M. Bola (D)
  • 5 H. Kyprianou (M)
  • 10 I. Louza (M)
  • 42 O. Maamma (M)
  • 8 G. Chakvetadze (M)
  • 7 T. Ince (M)
  • 9 L. Kjerrumgaard (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 N. Baxter
  • 4 K. Keben
  • 22 J. Morris
  • 29 J. Petris
  • 23 N. Mendy
  • 17 M. Sissoko
  • 66 N. Irankunda
  • 34 K. Baah
  • 18 V. Semedo

Birmingham

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 25 J. Beadle (G)
  • 23 A. Sampsted (D)
  • 5 P. Neumann (D)
  • 6 J. Robinson (D)
  • 20 A. Cochrane (D)
  • 24 T. Iwata (M)
  • 8 Paik Seung-Ho (M)
  • 16 P. Roberts (M)
  • 18 W. T. Willumsson (M)
  • 14 K. Anderson (M)
  • 9 K. Furuhashi (F)

Substitutes

  • 21 R. Allsop
  • 12 M. Leonard
  • 17 L. Dykes
  • 27 K. Fujimoto
  • 30 L. Koumas
  • 33 M. Ducksch
  • 40 M. Mazwi
  • 41 E. Cashin
  • 42 D. Isichei

Timeline

  1. Watford
    9' Watford Goal · Normal Goal
    T. Ince · Assist: G. Chakvetadze
  2. Watford
    38' Watford Goal · Normal Goal
    T. Ince
  3. Watford
    43' Watford Card · Yellow Card
    Matthew Pollock

    Foul

  4. Birmingham
    46' Birmingham subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Sampsted · On: M. Leonard
  5. Birmingham
    46' Birmingham subst · Substitution 2
    Off: W. T. Willumsson · On: L. Dykes
  6. Watford
    60' Watford Goal · Normal Goal
    T. Ince · Assist: N. Irankunda
  7. Birmingham
    62' Birmingham subst · Substitution 3
    Off: A. Cochrane · On: E. Cashin
  8. Birmingham
    63' Birmingham Card · Yellow Card
    L. Dykes

    Foul

  9. Watford
    64' Watford subst · Substitution 2
    Off: L. Kjerrumgaard · On: V. Semedo
  10. Birmingham
    68' Birmingham subst · Substitution 4
    Off: K. Furuhashi · On: M. Ducksch
  11. Watford
    69' Watford subst · Substitution 3
    Off: I. Louza · On: N. Mendy
  12. Watford
    70' Watford subst · Substitution 4
    Off: O. Maamma · On: M. Sissoko
  13. Birmingham
    77' Birmingham subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Keshi Anderson · On: L. Koumas
  14. Birmingham
    78' Birmingham Card · Yellow Card
    Paik Seung-Ho

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Watford Birmingham
Fouls 5 14
Pass Accuracy 79% 82%
Offsides 1 3
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 13 6
Corners 4 4
Total Passes 402 484
Yellow Cards 1 2
Blocked Shots 2 1
Shots on Target 6 2
xG 1.56 0.40
Shots off Target 5 3
Possession 45% 55%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 317 396
Shots Inside Box 10 5
Saves 2 3
Shots Outside Box 3 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ T. Ince's early goal at 9' set the tone for Watford, establishing their authority in the match
  • ▸ Watford's second goal by T. Ince at 38' furthered Birmingham's struggle and increased the lead before halftime