Match report

Birmingham Defeats Cambridge United 2-1 in League One Clash

Cambridge United
Cambridge United
1–2
FT
Birmingham
Birmingham
May 3, 2025

Birmingham secured an important win over Cambridge United in a thrilling encounter that saw two yellow cards and one red card issued to Cambridge players. Christoph Klarer opened the scoring for Birmingham, followed by Stephen Lavery's equalizer for the home side. The game was decided by an own goal from Cambridge’s Kwesi Watts with less than 20 minutes remaining.

Key Facts

  • • Christoph Klarer scored the opening goal for Birmingham at minute 25, assisted by E. Laird.
  • • Stephen Lavery equalized for Cambridge United in the 36th minute, with an assist from Liam Bennett.
  • • Kwesi Watts conceded an own goal for Cambridge United at minute 82, securing Birmingham's victory.
  • • E. Kachunga received two yellow cards and was subsequently sent off for Cambridge United.

Lineups

Cambridge United

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 13 N. Bishop (G)
  • 2 L. Bennett (D)
  • 5 M. Morrison (D)
  • 6 K. Watts (D)
  • 26 J. Gibbons (D)
  • 4 P. Digby (M)
  • 28 B. Stevenson (M)
  • 11 S. Kaikai (M)
  • 10 E. Kachunga (M)
  • 7 J. Brophy (M)
  • 19 S. Lavery (F)

Substitutes

  • 29 D. Ballard
  • 18 R. Loft
  • 22 J. Stokes
  • 38 G. Hoddle
  • 31 L. Chadwick
  • 3 D. Andrew
  • 15 J. Okedina

Birmingham

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 21 R. Allsop (G)
  • 2 E. Laird (D)
  • 4 C. Klarer (D)
  • 31 G. Hanley (D)
  • 16 Lee Myung-Jae (D)
  • 12 M. Leonard (M)
  • 13 Paik Seung-Ho (M)
  • 18 W. Willumsson (M)
  • 26 L. Harris (M)
  • 19 T. Gardner-Hickman (M)
  • 28 J. Stansfield (F)

Substitutes

  • 24 T. Iwata
  • 30 K. Dowell
  • 14 K. Anderson
  • 6 K. Bielik
  • 10 L. Jutkiewicz
  • 9 A. May
  • 45 B. Peacock-Farrell

Timeline

  1. Birmingham
    25' Birmingham Goal · Normal Goal
    Christoph Klarer · Assist: E. Laird
  2. Cambridge United
    34' Cambridge United Card · Yellow Card
    E. Kachunga

    Off the ball foul

  3. Cambridge United
    36' Cambridge United Goal · Normal Goal
    S. Lavery · Assist: L. Bennett
  4. Birmingham
    46' Birmingham subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Paik Seung-Ho · On: Tomoki Iwata
  5. Birmingham
    46' Birmingham subst · Substitution 2
    Off: W. T. Willumsson · On: K. Dowell
  6. Birmingham
    60' Birmingham subst · Substitution 3
    Off: E. Laird · On: Keshi Anderson
  7. Birmingham
    64' Birmingham subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Grant Hanley · On: K. Bielik
  8. Cambridge United
    68' Cambridge United Card · Yellow Card
    E. Kachunga

    Foul

  9. Cambridge United
    68' Cambridge United Card · Red Card
    E. Kachunga

    Foul

  10. Birmingham
    72' Birmingham subst · Substitution 5
    Off: L. Harris · On: L. Jutkiewicz
  11. Birmingham
    75' Birmingham Card · Yellow Card
    T. Gardner-Hickman

    Argument

  12. Cambridge United
    77' Cambridge United Card · Yellow Card
    K. Watts

    Foul

  13. Birmingham
    82' Birmingham Goal · Own Goal
    K. Watts
  14. Cambridge United
    88' Cambridge United Card · Yellow Card
    J. Stokes

    Foul

  15. Cambridge United
    88' Cambridge United subst · Substitution 2
    Off: S. Kaikai · On: R. Loft
  16. Cambridge United
    88' Cambridge United subst · Substitution 3
    Off: L. Bennett · On: J. Stokes

Match Stats

Stat Cambridge United Birmingham
Fouls 15 14
Pass Accuracy 63% 84%
Offsides 3 2
Red Cards 1 0
Total Shots 9 11
Corners 3 3
Total Passes 250 584
Yellow Cards 4 1
Blocked Shots 1 2
Shots on Target 4 6
xG — —
Shots off Target 4 3
Possession 30% 70%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 157 489
Shots Inside Box 7 6
Saves 5 3
Shots Outside Box 2 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Christoph Klarer’s early goal put Birmingham in control but Cambridge equalized through Stephen Lavery, bringing the game back on level terms.
  • ▸ The dismissal of E. Kachunga marked a turning point as it forced Cambridge to defend with fewer players, leading to Kwesi Watts’ own goal which sealed Birmingham's victory.