A Birmingham fan piles in on an Ipswich player as the Championship opener see brawls and plenty of controversy.
Birmingham took the lead early in the second half through Jay Stansfield, but Ipswich equalised in stoppage time via a George Hirst penalty after a handball by Lyndon Dykes.
The hosts thought they had done enough to start the season with three points, dominating much of the match through possession and territory.
With five minutes of the eight added on having elapsed an Ipswich corner to the far post was headed onto the arm of Lyndon Dykes, who’d have known nothing about it and referee Andrew Kitchen pointed to the spot.
Ipswich had just one shot on target all game, George Hirst stepped up and found the net to make it 1-1.
There were heated scenes throughout the game, frustration with the officials who were booed off at full time by the home crowd.
Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones said on the trouble after Ipswich’s equaliser: “Having just watched a replay of the aggro back following the goal, it all stems from Chaplin hammering the ball into the stands after Hirst had scored. Klarer then chased after Chaplin, grabbed him and pushed him towards the advertising boards where then both sets of players – and a Birmingham fan who tried to confront Chaplin – all got involved.”
Opening night of the season and this Birmingham fan just can’t help himself.#BIRIPS pic.twitter.com/a941Zlh6qN
— NEP Daily Football Podcast (@northendpod) August 8, 2025
Should be banned, track down the cretin throwing the bottle at O’Shea as well. #bcfc #itfc pic.twitter.com/flHIVYK7wH
— The Tractor Boys (@TTBITFC) August 8, 2025
Nicely put on his arse pic.twitter.com/TwS8y80CoM
— Doctor Nodge (@JarOfSnokes) August 8, 2025
Frustrations come to the fore at St Andrew’s after Ipswich equalise with a penalty in injury time! 😳 pic.twitter.com/Nyc14n3Qkl
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 8, 2025
Chucking stuff at officials, blimey #bcfc #itfc pic.twitter.com/6E2PEpLVmZ
— Mr Geoff Peters (@mrgeoffpeters) August 8, 2025
🗣️ “For me, I think it should be a goal”
🗣️ “For me it’s a foul”Mixed opinions on that Kyogo disallowed goal, who do you agree with? 🤔💬 pic.twitter.com/7VPVbY6c6a
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 8, 2025
Ipswich striker George Hirst speaking to Sky Sports: “[Scoring the penalty] is what I’m paid to do. It is my bread and butter. The centre half said it was a rubbish penalty in different terms but it went in the back of the net. That is what matters at the end of the day.
“We fought it out; we knew what it was going to be coming here. We stuck together, got the point and we’ll move on.”
Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves speaking to Sky Sports: “It was very tough. For the first 15 minutes, we found it tough. When they went 1-0 up we got back in the game and it only looked like us to equalise and go on and get three points.
“I thought he gave a foul on the keeper. I knew George was going to score and he probably got the point we deserved.”
Birmingham boss Chris Davies to Sky Sports:
“It was a good game, I was really pleased with how we played and we’re disappointed with the penalty and to concede so late is a sore one.
“The penalty is harsh – you can go around all the games this weekend and you won’t see many like that given – over the course of the season you hope you get those ones back your way.
“We didn’t let them settle and the boys were really focused – we were really organised and switched-on – I could see already after the game so many positives.
“We won’t play many teams better than that and we’ve probably been the better side over the game.”
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna speaking to Sky Sports: “It was a really tough game. It was always going to be that on the opening night. There wasn’t much in the game; we didn’t impose ourselves.
“It is still early for the group; we improved after the goal. The boys kept going; late goals are good for any successful team.
“Their pressure was good. It is early for our group; we’ll get better if we do the right things. It gives us a base and we’ll play much better. We have work to do.
“It has been a short turnaround. Our squad needs to be stronger; we are a long way off where we could be.”
Twitter users reacted after a Birmingham fan piles in on Ipswich player as the Championship opener sees brawls and controversy…
@ITFC_Alex: Klarer goes straight for Chappers seemingly unprovoked. Jackie lad helps Chappers out holding off about three Birmingham players. O’Shea has the presence of mind to push the Brum fan back. So how come Chaplin is the only one yellowed?!
@malstar79: That Birmingham fan who tried to get involved in the melee after Hirst scored the pen and end up on his arse. 😂
@kevlennon1: That Birmingham fan throwing a punch at the Ipswich player won’t be seeing a live league match for a few years. Idiot.
@NathanMilleer: Tonight just shows Birmingham have the worst fan base… throwing shit on the pitch is pathetic specially at players heads! Give those low life’s season bans!
@doc3d: Nothing to do with the obvious. I despise Birmingham City. The arrogance, attitude, entitlement. My favourite moment undoubtedly the blues fan running down from his seat to have a pop at the Ipswich player and ending up on his ass.
@KarlHills2: Livid about that pen, but not gunna have it takeaway from a phenomenal performance that should’ve been rewarded with 3 points. All immense tonight but Kyogo was awesome and the stand out for me. We carry on like this, we’re in for some season. As ever, UTFB 💙💙 #kro #bcfc
@JL_Hoops: The timing of the sunglass drop is incredible. What an absolute mutant that guy is. But hey, it’s Birmingham, what did we expect?
@CaseyAdamsLOFC: First game of the season. And has probably got a lifetime ban and a night in the cells. 🤣🤣
@da9mo: What on earth is he doing. How embarrassing! The sunglasses popping down 😂
@meresideposh72: Birmingham spitting the dummies out like at Wembley. Turned into such a dislikable club (the Brady Effect!) – especially if things don’t go their way. Sky loves fest is embarrassing- arsehole fan swinging at the Ipswich player doesn’t even warrant a mention. 🙄
🏟 FT: Birmingham 1-1 Ipswich
✅ Terrible officiating
✅ Handbags
✅ 90th minute penalty
✅ Limbs in the stands
✅ Fan on his arse getting involved
✅ Nail biting in the final moments😍 Football aye, can’t beat it!
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) August 8, 2025
