Bosun Lawal's first goal for Stoke City proved decisive as the defender's towering header earned a 1-0 victory over Birmingham City at the bet365 Stadium, maintaining the hosts' strong start to the Championship season. The Irishman rose at the far post to nod in a 21st-minute corner, his effort looping beyond Ryan Allsop and into the side netting to secure a fourth win in five league games for Mark Robins' side.
While Stoke's front-foot first-half display might have warranted a wider margin, with Divin Mubama twice denied and Sorba Thomas rattling the woodwork, they were forced to withstand a more assertive Birmingham after the break. The visitors controlled long spells of possession in the second half but, despite several promising situations, failed to register a single shot on target as Lawal and his fellow defenders protected Viktor Johansson's clean sheet.
Fast start puts Stoke in command
Coming off a below-par home defeat by West Brom before the international break, Robins demanded a quick response, and his players delivered it from the opening whistle. Stoke pressed aggressively, snapped into duels and repeatedly turned Birmingham around, immediately putting last season's runaway League One champions under pressure in front of a noisy home crowd.