Soccer
Birmingham edge out Championship rivals Swansea to progress in Carabao Cup
Birmingham booked their place in round two of the Carabao Cup with a narrow 1-0 win at Championship rivals Swansea.
August Priske’s goal a minute before the break proved decisive at the Swansea.com Stadium, with the big Danish striker steering the ball into the far corner after Carlos Vincente had sent a cross back across goal following a long free-kick into the box.
Swansea had been the better side in the first half and were unfortunate to be behind, with Ghanaian Joseph Opoku, a summer signing from Belgian top-flight side Zulte Waregem, looking a real threat on his competitive debut on the day he also turned 21.
He created openings for Adam Idah and Elijiah Just inside the opening half-hour. Former Celtic hitman Idah shot straight at James Beadle after being played in one-on-one, with Just bending a shot just wide of the on-loan Brighton keeper’s right-hand post.
Last season’s 23-goal Championship top scorer Zan Vipotnik was one of four Swansea changes just after the hour mark, but the Slovenian striker’s introduction failed to spark the home side.
Captain Ben Cabango came closest to levelling but was denied by Beadle after a game of pinball in the Birmingham box following a Swansea corner.
