West Bromwich Albion vs Birmingham City. Sky Bet Championship.
The HawthornsAttendance25,235.
Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between West Brom and Birmingham City at The Hawthorns on Saturday | Andreas Weimann nets his first goal for the Baggies late on to earn victory in Midlands derby.
Saturday 3 February 2024 19:19, UK
West Brom boss Carlos Corberan celebrated the birth of his son with a 1-0 derby victory over Birmingham.
Wife Claudia welcomed baby Dario on Friday night before Andreas Weimann snatched a late winner to cap a perfect weekend.
The Bristol City loanee netted his first Baggies goal, having joined last month, as Albion consolidated their play-off place.
They remain fifth in the Sky Bet Championship while Birmingham - who hit the post through Kevin Long - sit 18th, five points above the drop zone.
After the crowd trouble which marred last week's FA Cup Black Country derby defeat to Wolves, Albion needed a quieter afternoon.
And if Corberan's new arrival needed a nap he could have just watched the first half at The Hawthorns.
There was little zip to the derby, although it is one which is never seen as a grudge match, with Birmingham's neon pink shirts the only bright spot.
Albion did at least engineer the first serious chance mid-way through the half, although Jed Wallace shot straight at Neil Etheridge.
There was commitment, even if the quality was missing, as the Baggies enjoyed most of the possession without being able to hurt their visitors.
Ivan Sunjic's 30-yard effort almost slipped through Alex Palmer's fingers to add a glimmer of excitement for Birmingham but it was brief.
Blues debutant Alex Pritchard was replaced by Jordan James at half-time but it was the Baggies who upped the derby tempo.
Alex Mowatt, though, wasted their best chance after 53 minutes when he headed wide from six yards before Brandon Thomas-Asante volleyed a corner over.
Birmingham had barely threatened but almost snatched the lead with 20 minutes left.
Andre Dozzell's corner was flicked on by Long, with the ball arching across goal, hitting the inside of the post and bouncing into Palmer's arms.
It was a huge let off for the Baggies and they cashed in with five minutes left when Weimann grabbed the winner.
Darnell Furlong was given too much time on the right and his cross was turned into the top corner by substitute Weimann.
Birmingham midfielder Juninho Bacuna has said he was the victim of alleged racist abuse from a spectator at The Hawthorns.
Bacuna was seen in conversation with the officials and senior stewards, pointing to somebody in the home end.
Blues boss Tony Mowbray reported afterwards that Bacuna had reported racist abuse.
"I think he was abused, really, racially abused. It's in the hands of the authorities now. He's a bit upset in the dressing room, a bit disappointed.
"These sort of things have to be stamped out."
In a statement, West Midlands Police said: "We're investigating after a Birmingham City player was racially abused during the game at The Hawthorns today.
We'll be looking at CCTV and working with both clubs to identify who was responsible, and offer support to the player.
We do not tolerate racist abuse in any form either in football or society in general, and we will seek to prosecute anyone who commits hate crime."
West Brom have also released a statement: "West Bromwich Albion can confirm Birmingham City player Juninho Bacuna reported an incident of racism to referee David Webb during the second half of today's game.
"Albion will offer its full support to West Midlands Police in their criminal investigation of this matter. The club will also remain in contact with Birmingham City to ensure Juninho Bacuna receives the support he requires at this time.
"The club takes a strong stance against all forms of discrimination and will do all it can to ensure anyone found guilty of racism faces the toughest available legal punishment, in addition to a lifetime ban from The Hawthorns.
"Albion will continue to work with the Football Association, the EFL and all relevant authorities to rid the game of racism."
Sky Sports News have contacted Norwich for a response.
West Brom's Carlos Corberan:
"I cannot speculate what happened there but it is something I know - if there is an incident our club will always analyse.
"Because if there is any antagonistic behaviour, I know my club and my players are always against this type of situations.
"I am in a club that is very proactive to create more fair situations for anyone.
"If there was something connecting with racism, I know my players always take the knee and we are one of the clubs that has been making more things in favour to avoid any type of antagonising situations.
"I know the club will take a serious investigation if something has been damaging to people."
Birmingham's Tony Mowbray:
"You have to have a deterrent for the guy who's had a few drinks, he comes to the match and there's an opportunity in his mind to shout some racial abuse. He has to think: 'Hang on a minute'.
"You make decisions and there has to be a consequence, he shouts this thing and he knows he might never watch football again in this stadium.
"The consequences have to be severe. You can't just say 'sorry mate.' What drives someone to say those things?
"Bacca told me what he said, I don't think it's pertinent to share those things but it's not very nice.
"That individual should feel the consequences of his actions. It's right he brings it to the attention of the officials.
"Whose job is it to make the right decisions and what are the consequences? They have to be really harsh so people think twice about racially abusing people."
