Unseen hero sets the tone for Birmingham with a set-piece header

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·24 January 2026

Unseen hero sets the tone for Birmingham with a set-piece header

Tomoki Iwata headed Birmingham City in front in the 42nd minute, as their Championship meeting with Stoke City finished 1-1.

He had already shaped the contest, threading a through ball for Jay Stansfield to draw a save from Viktor Johansson (30.).

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From a corner, Stansfield cushioned a header back across goal and Iwata attacked the space to nod in from close range (42.).

After the restart he kept driving Birmingham forward, teeing up August Priske for a central attempt (73.) and seeing a shot from outside the box blocked soon after.

He finished with one goal, three tackles and five possessions won, plus three key passes and two accurate crosses from 56 touches – a two-way display that underpinned Birmingham's best moments.

Birmingham visit Oxford United next. Stoke City host Southampton.