Birmingham City 2-1 Watford: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Ladbrokes’ post-match review of Birmingham City 2-1 Watford in the Championship on Monday, 01 December 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Birmingham City beat Watford 2-1 in a competitive Championship clash. The hosts took control in the first half, with Seung-ho Paik opening the scoring on 31 minutes to give them a deserved lead after a spell of pressure. Demarai Gray then doubled the advantage just before the break on 43 minutes, assisted by Jay Stansfield, capping off a strong opening period where Birmingham looked sharp following their recent run of form that included wins over Norwich and Millwall.

Watford fought back in the second half, pulling one back through Othmane Maamma on 61 minutes with an assist from Marc Bola, but they couldn’t find an equaliser despite some late chances. Birmingham held firm amid a flurry of substitutions and yellow cards, with both sides picking up bookings that reflected the intensity. This result extends Birmingham’s solid home form, while Watford’s away struggles continue after draws in their last few outings.

The game was evenly matched in possession, with Birmingham holding 49% and Watford edging it at 51%, suggesting neither side dominated the ball for long spells. Corners were level at six apiece, but Watford showed more flair in attack with 50 successful dribbles compared to Birmingham’s 36, indicating they were more effective at beating defenders. Discipline saw Birmingham pick up three yellow cards against Watford’s two, with no reds issued, while substitutions numbered three for the hosts and four for the visitors, including key changes around the hour mark that shifted momentum.

Assists were one each, highlighting the decisive passes that led to goals, and there were no penalties or injury-time strikes to alter the outcome late on. Overall, the stats point to a balanced encounter where Watford’s dribbling threat didn’t translate into enough clear opportunities to overturn the deficit.

Birmingham struck first through Seung-ho Paik’s goal on 31 minutes, setting the tone after Tommy Doyle’s earlier yellow card for the hosts on 24 minutes. Demarai Gray added the second on 43 minutes with Jay Stansfield’s assist, but Watford responded post-interval when Othmane Maamma scored on 61 minutes, assisted by Marc Bola, following a triple substitution around the 60-minute mark that saw Giorgi Chakvetadze, Edo Kayembe and Vivaldo Semedo come on. Yellow cards piled up, with Watford’s Hector Kyprianou booked on 20 minutes and Imrân Louza on 76, while Birmingham’s Jay Stansfield and Patrick Roberts saw yellow on 78 and 80 minutes respectively.

A key turning point came with Birmingham’s substitutions, including Keshi Anderson replacing Demarai Gray on 69 minutes, and later changes like Alfons Sampsted for Bright Osayi-Samuel and Lyndon Dykes for Marvin Ducksch on 73 minutes, helping them manage the game. Watford’s late switch of Moussa Sissoko for Othmane Maamma on 85 minutes couldn’t force a leveller, and Birmingham’s stoppage-time subs of Marc Leonard for Jay Stansfield and Lewis Koumas for Patrick Roberts on 90+2 minutes secured the win.

Birmingham City lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Seung-ho Paik anchoring the midfield and Demarai Gray providing width in attack before his substitution. Jay Stansfield played a key role up front, assisting Gray’s goal and later earning a yellow card, while partnerships like Paik’s central control helped build pressure. Substitutes such as Keshi Anderson, Alfons Sampsted and Lyndon Dykes added fresh legs in the latter stages to maintain the lead.

Watford deployed a 4-4-2 setup, relying on Othmane Maamma’s attacking threat that delivered their goal before he was subbed off. Marc Bola contributed with an assist, and midfielders like Hector Kyprianou, who picked up an early yellow, provided balance until changes brought on Giorgi Chakvetadze, Edo Kayembe and Vivaldo Semedo around the hour. The formation allowed for direct play, with substitutes like Moussa Sissoko aiming to push for a late equaliser.

Ladbrokes’ Man of the Match went to Watford’s Othmane Maamma, who stood out despite the defeat by scoring their only goal and driving forward play. Although he didn’t register any assists, big chances created or key passes in the stats, his contribution was crucial in pulling Watford back into the game after coming under pressure. Maamma’s impact lasted until his substitution late on, marking him as the game’s brightest spark.

Recent Championship matches:

• Win: 2-1 vs Watford (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs West Bromwich Albion (A)
• Win: 4-1 vs Norwich City (H)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Middlesbrough (A)
• Win: 4-0 vs Millwall (H)

Recent Championship matches:

• Loss: 1-2 vs Birmingham City (A)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Preston North End (H)
• Win: 3-2 vs Derby County (A)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Bristol City (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Ipswich Town (A)

Birmingham City have just secured a 2-1 win over Watford at home, boosting their position to seventh on 28 points as they chase a play-off spot. Their recent form has been strong, with wins in three of their last five league games including convincing victories against Norwich and Millwall, setting them up well for the next challenge. They face Southampton, who are 14th on 24 points, on 6 December 2025 at 15:00, where three points could help them pull further clear in the promotion race.

Watford have just suffered a 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City away from home, leaving them 15th on 24 points and still searching for consistency. Their recent league results show only one win in the last five, with draws against Preston, Bristol City and Ipswich highlighting a need for more cutting edge. They host Norwich City, currently 23rd on 13 points, on 6 December 2025 at 12:30, offering a chance to bounce back and create some distance from the relegation zone.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.