Overview

• Bosun Lawal headed in from Sorba Thomas's 21st-minute corner after Divin Mubama drew a save to set up the decisive set piece.
• Stoke’s wide threat through Thomas and Million Manhoef drove a dominant first half that could have yielded a larger lead.
• Mark Robins’ side have four wins from their first five league matches to open the Championship campaign.
• Birmingham slipped to a third straight defeat without scoring and their first back-to-back league losses under Chris Davies.
• Davies cited a slow start and lost duels despite 58% possession in the second half, while debutant Tomas Rigo impressed for Stoke; attendance was 24,676 with 3,381 away fans.