A clinical second half performance from Birmingham City blitzed Barnsley 6-2 and put the club on the brink of a return to the Championship.
Blues only require one more win to seal promotion and can do it on Tuesday when they travel to Peterborough United – five days before they meet the Posh at Wembley in the Vertu Trophy final.
Jay Stansfield (pen), Ben Davies, Alfie May, Luke Harris, Kieran Dowell and Lukas Jutkiewicz scored in a crazy game in B9. Here are our talking points from St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park…
Carnage at both ends – Blues were clinical
To Barnsley’s credit, they matched Blues in the first half and created an entertaining end-to-end game. The first 45 minutes could have ended 3-3.
Blues got sucked into the carnage and struggled to play to their patterns. Chris Davies reminded them to stick to their principles to wrestle back control at half-time and the difference was enormous.
Ten-man Barnsley tired and Blues eventually picked them off with a few clinical finishes.
The perfect week is set up
The promotion party started when Jutkiewicz found the back of the net at the second attempt. Such limbs have never been seen before for a sixth goal in a 6-2 win.
Blues will now seal promotion with a victory over Peterborough on Tuesday night. If Wycombe Wanderers don’t beat Huddersfield, Blues will even be promoted without a win.
Peterborough were battered 4-0 by Northampton on home turf on Saturday and there is more reason for Darren Ferguson to rest players ahead of Wembley than there is for Davies.
You would expect Blues to go strong in Peterborough and you wouldn't bet against Davies rolling out the same full strength XI at Wembley next Sunday.
Promotion will almost certainly come next week – maybe a double awaits Blues in the next seven days.
A moment to savour
The sight of Jutkiewicz wheeling away in front of a jubilant Tilton is one of the highlights in Blues’ season.
Jutkiewicz hasn’t played as much as he would have liked or expected, so to keep his record of scoring in every league season of his nine-year Blues career going is a special achievement.
Even though Jutkiewicz hasn’t been a starter, his influence behind-the-scenes cannot be underestimated.
Davies said: “I was told before I came that he’s one of the main men and key people, and he’ll be good for you in the dressing room, and as a manager you’re only as good as your senior players. That’s the reality of it.
“If you’ve got wrong senior players in a football club you’re in trouble.
“He is our most senior player and he is an outstanding professional. In my first year as a manager I couldn’t have wished for a better example for the team.”
An historic season
Blues need four wins from the final seven matches to break the League One points record – five from seven to break the EFL record. They are also on course to win the most league matches in EFL history (currently 33).
If Blues avoid defeat in their final two home games against Crawley Town and Mansfield, they will go the entire season unbeaten in League One at St Andrew’s.
The records keep on tumbling for Davies’ juggernaut.
Will Blues seal the deal on Tuesday? Tell us your thoughts HERE
Don't miss your Birmingham Mail Blues at Wembley special souvenir edition
Chris Davies's runaway League One leaders face Peterborough United on Sunday, April 13 in the final of the Vertu Trophy, looking to clinch the first past of a double after a season of incredible success.
The St Andrew's all-stars return to Wembley for the first time since their famous Carling Cup victory 14 years ago.
And to mark the big day in the capital, we've produced a stunning 40-page special which is a real must for all Blues supporters.
It is packed with interviews with boss Davies and Blues' key men, including hotshot striker Jay Stansfield, as well as a look back at the club's long road to Wembley.
There's a fascinating trip down memory lane to look at the Blues' previous two wins in the Football League trophy, in the 1991 Leyland Daf Cup and the 1995 Auto Windscreens Shield, with new interviews and pictures from the two glorious days.
Buy now and have it delivered directly to your door. Alternatively you can purchase in most supermarkets, high street retailers and independent newsagents in Birmingham from April 2, 2025.
