In a pulsating Championship encounter under the lights at St Andrew’s, Birmingham City clawed their way back from the brink of defeat to earn a thrilling 2-2 draw against Sheffield Wednesday — and it was Demarai Gray, the returning hometown hero, who stole the spotlight with a last-gasp equaliser deep into stoppage time.
The match had all the hallmarks of classic English second-tier football: intensity, drama, controversy, and a dose of individual brilliance. For much of the game, Sheffield Wednesday looked set to walk away with all three points after two well-taken goals put them in control. But Birmingham, showing the kind of resilience and fighting spirit that’s becoming a trademark under manager Tony Mowbray, refused to bow down.
And in the end, it was Gray — making his mark once again in Birmingham blue after his much-celebrated return — who ensured that the home fans left the stadium with their hearts pounding and their voices hoarse.
A Lively Start Sets the Tone
The match began at a furious pace, with both sides eager to assert dominance early. Birmingham, buoyed by a loud home crowd, looked sharp in possession. The midfield trio of Juninho Bacuna, Krystian Bielik, and Jordan James provided a solid foundation, while the attacking width from Keshi Anderson and Demarai Gray kept Sheffield Wednesday pinned back.
However, it was the visitors who carved out the first real chance of the game. In the 7th minute, Barry Bannan whipped in a dangerous corner that found Michael Smith unmarked inside the box. The striker’s header, though powerful, was brilliantly saved by Birmingham goalkeeper John Ruddy, diving low to his right.
Birmingham responded almost immediately. A slick one-two between Gray and Bacuna opened up space on the right flank, with Gray’s curling cross narrowly missing Lukas Jutkiewicz at the far post. It was a warning for Wednesday — and a signal that Gray’s pace and delivery were going to be a constant threat.
The match quickly turned into a midfield battle, with both sides pressing high and looking to transition quickly. Birmingham looked the more composed side, but Wednesday carried the greater cutting edge in attack.
Sheffield Wednesday Strike First
The deadlock was broken in the 24th minute, and it came in classic Sheffield Wednesday fashion — through a well-worked team move and clinical finishing.
Bannan, once again at the heart of the action, picked up the ball deep in midfield and threaded a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Josh Windass. The forward, showing great composure, controlled the ball with his first touch and rifled it past Ruddy with his second. The away end erupted as Wednesday took a 1-0 lead, silencing the home supporters momentarily.
It was a goal that reflected Wednesday’s growing confidence in recent weeks — quick, incisive, and ruthlessly efficient. Birmingham, meanwhile, looked shell-shocked. Their passing became rushed, their rhythm unsettled.
The visitors nearly doubled their lead just minutes later when Marvin Johnson’s cross found Smith again, but this time the forward’s header grazed the post and went wide.
Mowbray’s men needed a response, and they almost found it through Bacuna, whose fierce long-range effort forced a strong save from Cameron Dawson. Still, as the halftime whistle approached, Birmingham trailed 1-0 and looked in danger of letting the game slip away.
Gray Ignites the Comeback
After the interval, Birmingham came out with renewed urgency. The tempo increased, and Gray began to see more of the ball. His runs down the right flank began to stretch the Wednesday defense, while Bielik and James controlled the central areas more effectively.
The equaliser came in the 53rd minute — and it was no surprise who was involved. Gray’s darting run forced a foul near the edge of the area, earning Birmingham a free kick in a dangerous position. Bacuna stepped up, curling a delicious delivery into the box, where Jutkiewicz rose highest to glance the ball into the far corner.
The roar from St Andrew’s was deafening. 1-1. Game on.
The goal injected belief into the Birmingham players and supporters alike. Suddenly, every pass carried purpose, every tackle had conviction. Gray, feeding off the crowd’s energy, became increasingly influential. His dribbling drew fouls and created chaos, forcing the Wednesday defenders to double up on him.
However, just as Birmingham seemed to be taking control, Sheffield Wednesday struck again — completely against the run of play.
Wednesday Regain the Lead
In the 68th minute, a quick counterattack caught Birmingham flat-footed. A long ball from Dominic Iorfa found Windass sprinting in behind the defense. The forward drove into the box and cut the ball back to Bannan, whose first-time shot deflected off a defender and wrong-footed Ruddy.
2-1 to Sheffield Wednesday.
The away fans exploded in jubilation once more, waving scarves and chanting as their team reclaimed the advantage. For Birmingham, it was a gut punch — the kind of goal that can drain morale from even the most resilient side.
But under Tony Mowbray, Birmingham City are not a team that gives up easily. With twenty minutes left on the clock, they threw everything forward. The introduction of Scott Hogan added fresh legs in attack, while Bacuna pushed higher up the field to support Gray and Jutkiewicz.
The final stages of the match were all Birmingham. Wave after wave of attack crashed against the Wednesday defense, who were forced deeper and deeper. Yet, time and again, Dawson came to their rescue — saving from Hogan, blocking Gray’s low drive, and parrying away Bacuna’s fierce strike.
It seemed as though Birmingham’s effort would end in heartbreak. And then came the moment that changed everything.
Demarai Gray Delivers in Dramatic Fashion
As the clock ticked past the 90-minute mark, Birmingham won one final corner. The home fans rose to their feet, urging their side to give one last push. Bacuna swung in a curling delivery that was half-cleared by a Wednesday defender, only for the ball to fall perfectly for Gray on the edge of the box.
What followed was pure instinct.
Gray took one touch to set himself and then unleashed a thunderous strike through a crowded penalty area. The ball arrowed into the bottom corner, leaving Dawson with no chance.
2-2. St Andrew’s erupted.
The noise was deafening as Gray sprinted toward the corner flag, arms outstretched, his teammates piling on in celebration. It was the fairytale ending Birmingham fans had hoped for — their prodigal son delivering in the dying seconds to snatch a precious point.
The referee’s whistle soon followed, bringing an end to one of the most dramatic matches of the season.
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