August Priske clinched Birmingham City's progression to the second round of the Carabao Cup
A goal from August Priske handed Birmingham City a 1-0 victory over Swansea City in their opening game of the 2026/27 campaign.
The Danish striker built on his impressive pre-season by squeezing home Carlos Vicenteâs centre on the stroke of half-time in what proved to be the only goal of the game at the Swansea.com Stadium.
As a result, Blues have progressed to the second round of the Carabao Cup in the ideal warm up for next week's Championship opener at Sheffield United.
FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK! All the latest Blues news on Birmingham Liveâs Birmingham City FC Facebook page
Blues are taking set pieces ultra-seriously this season after the hire of specialist coach Scott Fry but they were almost undone by a simple corner early on. Josh Tymonâs delivery was met by the unmarked Cameron Burgess who headed over the crossbar when he really should have worked James Beadle.
Another good chance for Swansea presented itself to Adam Idah inside 15 minutes. The striker was played in down the right side of Bluesâ defence but Beadle stayed composed to win the one-v-one battle.
Swansea crafted a third chance of the first half when Tymon intelligently found space behind Carlos Vicente to receive a pass from goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux before racing up the field. Tymon fed Joseph Opoku who picked out Elijah Just in a good position on the penalty spot. Just tried to curl an effort into the far corner but couldnât quite find the target in another let-off for Blues.
Bluesâ first meaningful chance of the half fell to Jay Stansfield and it came via a long throw from Priske. The ball was flicked on at the near post for Stansfield but the striker, not known for his aerial prowess, headed straight at Vigouroux.
It was Priske who scored Bluesâ first goal of the season when he finished off a precise set piece routine. Alex Cochrane arrowed a free-kick from deep that found Vicente and the winger intelligently fed the ball into the path of Priske to convert from six yards.
Boosted by Priskeâs goal, Blues started the second half with intent and Jhon Solis was a whisker away from connecting with Vicenteâs inviting cross.
Swans boss Vitor Matos introduced four players just after the hour including Golden Boot winner Zan Vipotnik to turn the tide.
A good chance fell to Ben Cabango with 20 minutes to play and his shot would have nestled in the corner had it not been for Beadleâs strong left-handed save.
Swansea had to finish the match with 10 men after Burgess picked up an injury when the hosts had used all five of their substitutions.
It made the job of seeing the game out easier and for the third successive season under Chris Davies, Blues advanced to the second round of the Carabao Cup.
James Beadle 8*
A couple of superb saves from the goalkeeper to deny Idah and Cabango. The second arrived in front of the sold-out away end to preserve the clean sheet and he was summoned for the fist-pumps at full-time.
Bright Osayi-Samuel 7
Improved in possession after half-time and picked out a couple of clever passes, one which set Vicente away to create a good chance for Solis to score. Decent defensively.
Phil Neumann 8
A really solid performance by the German centre-back who picked up where he left off at the end of last season. Neumann won his headers and took no chances.
Christoph Klarer 8
Klarer was well placed to block a goal-bound Idah header in the first half and defended his box in typically no nonsense fashion.
Alex Cochrane 6.5
Picked up a back injury midway through the first half but battled on to half-time and delivered the free-kick that led to Bluesâ opening goal.
Tomoki Iwata 6.5
Iwata was Bluesâ insurance policy in midfield with Solis given more licence to move forward. He patrolled in front of Neumann and Klarer and cut off the passing lanes that are essential to Swanseaâs style of play.
Jhon Solis 7
Solis was quick to jump in during the first half and Swansea played around him a couple of times. He found his timing in the second 45 and dominated in the duels.
Carlos Vicente 7
A rollicking from Davies in the first half for allowing Tymon to break free seemed to spark Vicente into life. He set up the goal and created a couple of good chances for Solis in the second half. The Spaniardâs first thought was to go forward.
Paik Seung-ho 6
Paik pressed well in the first half but he didnât play with his usual quality in possession, probably due to the fact this was his first game since the World Cup. Itâs important Paik got an hour under his belt.
Jay Stansfield 6
A quieter game for Stansfield in a position that he isnât expected to play in an awful lot this season. Needs must and the clubâs record signing put a shift in.
August Priske 7
The centre-forward only needed 45 minutes to get off the mark this season after a confidence-boosting pre-season. Priske produced a tidy finish and happily battled Swanseaâs defenders as the focal point of the attack.
SUBS
Lee Buchanan (for Cochrane, 46) 6
Buchanan was picked ahead of Kristoffer Lund to replace the injured Cochrane for his first competitive appearance since December 2024. The left-back snapped into challenges and did his job defensively.
Demarai Gray (for Paik, 64) 6
Added fresh legs and pace to the attack to take Blues up the pitch. Recovered from a heavy challenge from Cabango shortly after coming on to see out the game.
Ethan Laird (for Stansfield, 72) 6
Deployed on the right wing to protect Osayi-Samuel and spring counter-attacks. He should have done more with one breakaway and Davies let him know about it.
Luis Vazquez (for Priske, 72) 6
There were some useful touches from the Argentinian who is still getting up to speed and in sync with his teammates.
Scott Wright (for Vicente, 90') N/A
Not used: Allsop, Fry, Lund, Roberts
A goal from August Priske handed Birmingham City a 1-0 victory over Swansea City in their opening game of the 2026/27 campaign.
The Danish striker built on his impressive pre-season by squeezing home Carlos Vicenteâs centre on the stroke of half-time in what proved to be the only goal of the game at the Swansea.com Stadium.
As a result, Blues have progressed to the second round of the Carabao Cup in the ideal warm up for next week's Championship opener at Sheffield United.
FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK! All the latest Blues news on Birmingham Liveâs Birmingham City FC Facebook page
Blues are taking set pieces ultra-seriously this season after the hire of specialist coach Scott Fry but they were almost undone by a simple corner early on. Josh Tymonâs delivery was met by the unmarked Cameron Burgess who headed over the crossbar when he really should have worked James Beadle.
Another good chance for Swansea presented itself to Adam Idah inside 15 minutes. The striker was played in down the right side of Bluesâ defence but Beadle stayed composed to win the one-v-one battle.
Swansea crafted a third chance of the first half when Tymon intelligently found space behind Carlos Vicente to receive a pass from goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux before racing up the field. Tymon fed Joseph Opoku who picked out Elijah Just in a good position on the penalty spot. Just tried to curl an effort into the far corner but couldnât quite find the target in another let-off for Blues.
Bluesâ first meaningful chance of the half fell to Jay Stansfield and it came via a long throw from Priske. The ball was flicked on at the near post for Stansfield but the striker, not known for his aerial prowess, headed straight at Vigouroux.
It was Priske who scored Bluesâ first goal of the season when he finished off a precise set piece routine. Alex Cochrane arrowed a free-kick from deep that found Vicente and the winger intelligently fed the ball into the path of Priske to convert from six yards.
Boosted by Priskeâs goal, Blues started the second half with intent and Jhon Solis was a whisker away from connecting with Vicenteâs inviting cross.
Swans boss Vitor Matos introduced four players just after the hour including Golden Boot winner Zan Vipotnik to turn the tide.
A good chance fell to Ben Cabango with 20 minutes to play and his shot would have nestled in the corner had it not been for Beadleâs strong left-handed save.
Swansea had to finish the match with 10 men after Burgess picked up an injury when the hosts had used all five of their substitutions.
It made the job of seeing the game out easier and for the third successive season under Chris Davies, Blues advanced to the second round of the Carabao Cup.
James Beadle 8*
A couple of superb saves from the goalkeeper to deny Idah and Cabango. The second arrived in front of the sold-out away end to preserve the clean sheet and he was summoned for the fist-pumps at full-time.
Bright Osayi-Samuel 7
Improved in possession after half-time and picked out a couple of clever passes, one which set Vicente away to create a good chance for Solis to score. Decent defensively.
Phil Neumann 8
A really solid performance by the German centre-back who picked up where he left off at the end of last season. Neumann won his headers and took no chances.
Christoph Klarer 8
Klarer was well placed to block a goal-bound Idah header in the first half and defended his box in typically no nonsense fashion.
Alex Cochrane 6.5
Picked up a back injury midway through the first half but battled on to half-time and delivered the free-kick that led to Bluesâ opening goal.
Tomoki Iwata 6.5
Iwata was Bluesâ insurance policy in midfield with Solis given more licence to move forward. He patrolled in front of Neumann and Klarer and cut off the passing lanes that are essential to Swanseaâs style of play.
Jhon Solis 7
Solis was quick to jump in during the first half and Swansea played around him a couple of times. He found his timing in the second 45 and dominated in the duels.
Carlos Vicente 7
A rollicking from Davies in the first half for allowing Tymon to break free seemed to spark Vicente into life. He set up the goal and created a couple of good chances for Solis in the second half. The Spaniardâs first thought was to go forward.
Paik Seung-ho 6
Paik pressed well in the first half but he didnât play with his usual quality in possession, probably due to the fact this was his first game since the World Cup. Itâs important Paik got an hour under his belt.
Jay Stansfield 6
A quieter game for Stansfield in a position that he isnât expected to play in an awful lot this season. Needs must and the clubâs record signing put a shift in.
August Priske 7
The centre-forward only needed 45 minutes to get off the mark this season after a confidence-boosting pre-season. Priske produced a tidy finish and happily battled Swanseaâs defenders as the focal point of the attack.
SUBS
Lee Buchanan (for Cochrane, 46) 6
Buchanan was picked ahead of Kristoffer Lund to replace the injured Cochrane for his first competitive appearance since December 2024. The left-back snapped into challenges and did his job defensively.
Demarai Gray (for Paik, 64) 6
Added fresh legs and pace to the attack to take Blues up the pitch. Recovered from a heavy challenge from Cabango shortly after coming on to see out the game.
Ethan Laird (for Stansfield, 72) 6
Deployed on the right wing to protect Osayi-Samuel and spring counter-attacks. He should have done more with one breakaway and Davies let him know about it.
Luis Vazquez (for Priske, 72) 6
There were some useful touches from the Argentinian who is still getting up to speed and in sync with his teammates.
Scott Wright (for Vicente, 90') N/A
Not used: Allsop, Fry, Lund, Roberts
Related Coverage
- Swansea City 0-1 Birmingham City: August Priske goal sends Blues into EFL Cup second round â BBCVitor Matos | We want to hit the ground running
- BBCVitor Matos | We want to hit the ground running â Swansea City
- Swansea City bow out of Carabao Cup after narrow defeat to Birmingham City â Wales Online
- Swans v Blues , how medicals work, Seck transfer latest & focus on tomorrow â fansnetwork.co.uk
