Birmingham City capitalised on an early gift and a second-half surge to beat 10-man Leicester City 2-1, extending their unbeaten run to six matches and edging to within two points of the final play-off place. Ibrahim Osman punished Ricardo Pereira's costly third-minute lapse for his first Blues goal before Abdul Fatawu's spectacular volley briefly dragged the Foxes level, only for Jay Stansfield to strike the decisive blow midway through the second period.
Leicester, docked six points for breaching the EFL's Profit and Sustainability rules, endured another difficult afternoon. Bobby De Cordova-Reid was sent off before half-time in what looked a harsh decision, and despite Fatawu's memorable equaliser they slipped to a third consecutive defeat. With just one point taken from the last 15, Andy King's much-changed side remain only outside the relegation zone on goal difference, while Birmingham's relentless attacking display underlined the growing momentum behind Chris Davies' team.
Osman's third-minute strike punishes Pereira's early lapse
The tone of the afternoon was set almost immediately. In only the third minute, Leicester captain Ricardo Pereira was caught dwelling on the ball deep in his own half and Osman, on loan from Brighton, showed sharp anticipation to dispossess him far too easily. The winger surged into the open space and, with Asmir Begovic recalled in goal for the Foxes, kept his composure to slot calmly past him for his first goal in Birmingham colours.