Two first-half strikes were enough to sink the big-spending Birmingham City as they fell to Peterborough at Wembley.
Despite having NFL legend Tom Brady in their corner, the Blues couldn’t seal the Vertu Trophy after already clinching the League One title the day before.
Backed by Brady and led by ex-Celtic assistant Chris Davies, Birmingham have made a flurry of signings—many from Scotland—aiming to power their return to the Championship. That includes former Rangers players Scott Wright, Ben Davies, and Kieran Dowell, alongside ex-Celtic midfielder Tomoki Iwata and former Hearts man Alex Cochrane. Scotland internationals Lyndon Dykes and Grant Hanley also bolster the ranks.
However, after lifting the league trophy on Saturday, they found themselves 2-0 behind by halftime to a Peterborough side coached by Darren Ferguson, son of Sir Alex. Despite a generous 14 minutes of stoppage time, the Blues couldn’t claw their way back, and what could have been a double celebration ended in disappointment.
Frustrated fans were quick to point fingers, particularly at Kieran Dowell, who underwhelmed during his stint at Rangers and again failed to impress. Social media was rife with criticism.
One supporter fumed on X: “Make them all walk home. It may take Kieran Dowell a couple weeks, the snail.” Another asked: “How on earth has Dowell stayed on? He’s easily been the worst on the pitch.” A third echoed the sentiment: “No way should we sign Dowell permanently—shocking today,” while another added: “Dowell’s arrival has coincided with Thor’s drop-off. He was abysmal today.”
In an unexpected post-match moment, owners Tom Wagner and Tom Brady were seen addressing the team from the stands with an impassioned message.
Prior to kickoff, Brady had shared his enthusiasm: “It’s surreal. I loved being on the field in front of 70,000 fans. For these young men, it’s a reward for their hard work and for those who’ve supported them.”
Pundit Troy Deeney commented: “Tom Brady’s presence highlights the expectation. You’ve lost because you didn’t bring your best. These losses sting—and that feeling should drive you forward.”
