Birmingham City climbed to the top of the Championship as Jay Stansfield's late goal secured a 2-1 victory over 10-man Swansea City.

Swansea striker Ross Stewart had an early penalty saved by Ryan Allsop before Marko Stamenic was sent off for a heavy challenge on Ethan Laird in an incident-packed first half.

Stamenic's exit handed the initiative to Birmingham, who swiftly went in front through Stansfield's neat first-time finish.

But Swansea managed to stay in the contest and levelled 20 minutes after the break when Christoph Klarer turned Josh Tymon's corner into his own net.

Birmingham's attacking threat faded in the second period, yet Stansfield drilled home from close range three minutes from time as Swansea failed to deal with a Demarai Gray corner.

This was a seventh victory in nine matches for Birmingham and a fourth in succession on their own ground.

But while the Blues head into the international break in buoyant mood, Swansea are licking wounds once more having suffered a fourth defeat in five matches, with Vitor Matos' early-season pacesetters down to sixth in the table.

The Swans will reflect on what might have been, having been the more menacing side before Stamenic's early exit.

Allsop guessed the right way to deny Stewart from the spot after Alex Cochrane was penalised for holding Jenson Seelt at a corner.

If Birmingham felt justice was done there, there was relief for the hosts when Goncalo Franco headed Eom Jisung's cross against the post.

The red card shifted the momentum of the contest, with Patrick Roberts and Max Bird combining down the right to tee up Stansfield's 50th Birmingham goal.

Chris Davies' team ought to have stretched their advantage before the break, with Swansea goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux denying Liam Millar and Bird before Stansfield headed against the woodwork.

It seemed Birmingham would pay the price for the missed opportunities after Swansea's leveller, only for Stansfield's second goal of the day to bring the house down at a sold-out St Andrew's.

These two clubs were only separated by goal difference at the end of last season, with Birmingham finishing 10th and Swansea one place worse off.

Goal difference was the only thing which could split them once more before kick-off, with Birmingham coming into this weekend in third place and Swansea fifth.

Both clubs have lofty ambitions this season, and both have shown plenty of promise in the opening third of 2026-27.

But it is Birmingham who will be feeling more upbeat during the campaign's second international break, even if they were made to work for the points by a Swansea team who showed plenty of battling qualities having missed a penalty and lost a man.

Davies' side have the best defensive record in the division, while Stansfield delivered up front in the continued absence of leading scorer August Priske.

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