On Monday night, Birmingham City defeated Wrexham 3-1 at St Andrew’s, giving Tom Brady the opportunity to gloat about his American colleague Rob McElhenney.
The League One match featured a star-studded crowd that included both co-owners of their respective teams, David Beckham and NFL icon Rob Brady. A double from Jay Stansfield and an incredible goal from rookie Tomoki Iwata clinched a commanding victory for the home team.
David Beckham was pictured in the stands alongside Tom Brady at St Andrew’s
Rob McElhenney, co-owner of Wrexham, met Brady before the crunch League One clash
A Jay Stansfield brace helped Birmingham City seal a dominant victory over Wrexham
David Beckham shakes hands with fans as he joined City minority owner Brady in the stands
McElhenney watched on as his Wrexham side were soundly beaten by Brady’s Birmingham
Before their teams faced off in the first competitive game between the clubs since their respective investments, McElhenney and Brady were seen chatting on the field.
And in a game known as the “Hollywood Derby,” Brady’s Blues team put on an incredible show, and he ended up having the final laugh.
Co-owner of Wrexham with fellow Hollywood A-lister Ryan Reynolds, McElhenney had flown straight from the Emmys to watch the Welsh team, who were promoted last season, take on an early test of their League One credentials.
Brady was likewise upbeat despite obscene chants from the travelling Wrexham supporters. The 47-year-old NFL great offered a thumbs-up in response to the cries of “who the f***ing hell are you?” from the crowd.
Stansfield, the most expensive player in League One at £20 million, was Birmingham City’s hero after the Blues broke the transfer record and Stansfield scored twice to draw even with leaders Wrexham.
The host team’s record signing tied the score on 22 minutes with a fast move to finish off a loose ball in the box, and on 52 minutes, he finished the comeback with an excellent directed header.
That happened after Jack Marriott’s deflected effort gave Wrexham the lead after only three minutes. Tomoki Iwata then completed the scoring on 59 minutes with an incredible shot from 25 yards out.
Following two yellow cards in five minutes, Birmingham captain Krystian Bielik was sent off on the 86th minute, but the Blues managed to hold on and move up to a share of the first spot in the standings.
Despite suffering their first loss of the year, Wrexham is still top on goal differential, while second-place Birmingham still has a game in hand.
The pre-game lights spectacular at St. Andrew’s intensified the already electrifying atmosphere as the two teams vying for the division crown faced off in front of luminaries like Beckham, Tom Wagner, and McElhenney. It was the first league encounter between the two clubs in 29 years.
An early twist in the plan saw Marriott’s deflected shot find the net three minutes in after the Blues failed to clear their lines at a corner, much to McElhenney’s joy as Wrexham made a dream start.
Birmingham City debutant Tomoki Iwata (left) scored a drilled shot in the 59th minute
Wrexham’s Paul Mullin and Birmingham’s Krystian Bielik were booked after a dispute. Bielik would pick up a second yellow to be sent off in the 86th minute
Brady (right) and Rob McElhenney were spotted in a deep conversation at St Andrew’s
Alex Cochrane’s play into the box along the ground put Alfie May in position to find Paik Seung-ho, who side-footed the ball wide from ten yards out, and Birmingham came dangerously close to drawing even.
On minute 22, the home team tied the score when Stansfield, the division’s record signing, scored from close range on his second league appearance for the team. May had sent a hard shot from the edge of the penalty area, but Arthur Okonkwo was only able to parry it.
Soon after, Blues struck again when Stansfield regained possession just inside the Wrexham half. The ball ultimately reached May, whose long-range attempt was easily stopped by Okonkwo.
As anticipated, Wrexham played deep and applied a lot of pressure, and although Blues controlled possession, they were unable to create another clear-cut opportunity. Marriott’s first goal was the only effort on goal for the visitors in the first half.
On the other hand, Stansfield’s comeback was completed on minute 52 when Cochrane’s inch-perfect cross from the left was met by the striker, who cushioned his header into the bottom left corner.
Seven minutes later, Iwata, making his league debut, gave Blues even more of a lead when he sent a hard shot into the bottom right corner from 25 yards out, finishing first on Seung-ho’s feed.
Soon after, Bailey Peacock-Farrell denied substitute Paul Mullin’s meek attempt at goal, and Okonkwo made a vital stop to keep his team in the game, preventing Stansfield from completing his treble.
Birmingham completed the remaining minutes to secure a statement victory over their prospective promotion rivals, with Blues captain Bielik being sent off in the closing moments for an unnecessary foul on Andy Cannon.