00:00Birmingham City finally ended their two-month wait for an away win and they did it the hard
00:07way.
00:08On a tense Tuesday night at Deepdale, Chris Davies' side stunned Preston North End to
00:13end the host's unbeaten home record and spark a much-needed upturn in mood and momentum.
00:21The odds were against the Blues heading north out of form but one set-piece goal and a heroic
00:26defensive stand turned the tide. Phil Newman back in the side after five games out powered
00:31home a header from a corner to give Blues the lead. From then on it was all about grit
00:37and resilience as the visitors dug in to protect what they had.
00:43This wasn't the slick, expansive Birmingham we've come to expect under Davies. It was
00:48something else entirely stubborn, compact and defiant. The away fans captured the moment
00:54perfectly with a cheeky chant. How bad must you be? We've scored a set-piece.
01:00Davies switched to five at the back for the final stretch. Seven if you count defensive
01:05wingers Alphonse Samstead and Damari Gray. Blues repelled wave after wave of Preston pressure.
01:13Newman and Christoph Clara were immense at centre-back while James Beadle commanded his area superbly.
01:22After weeks of scrutiny, Davies could finally breathe again. The manager was serenaded by
01:27a jubilant away end that even included chairman Tom Wagner. He praised Newman's performance
01:33post-match, noting his adaptation to English football and calling it a really good display
01:39against the physical Preston side.
01:42Further forward, Tommy Doyle produced his most complete performance in a blue shirt, sharp
01:47passing, strong challenges and total control. For a spell, he and midfield partners Mark Leonard,
01:53Paik Sung-ho and Tomoki Iwata dominated the game.
01:56The only frustration was not finding a second goal to ease the nerves. Still, this 1-0 gritty
02:03win lifted Blues to 12th, just three points off the top six. And next up, Bristol City away
02:08and a chance to turn one determined victory into a genuine revival.
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