Credit: Birmingham City YouTube / Sky Sports Football

Harri Burton

Mon 18 August 2025 16:26, UK

Jay Stansfield was fortunate to score from the penalty spot as Birmingham City staged a late comeback against Blackburn Rovers, according to Keith Hackett.

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The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Ethan Laird manufactured a situation where referee Oliver Langford had to award a spot-kick at Ewood Park.

Chris Davies‘ side were searching for an equaliser after Todd Cantwell scored the opener just five minutes into the second half on Saturday, 16 August, and that was handed to the Blues on a plate.

As the clock ticked into the 90th minute, Stansfield tucked away a penalty after Laird was brought down by a combination of Sidnei Tavares and Lewis Miller, but Hackett is not convinced that a spot-kick was the right decision.

This article contains exclusive comments from ex-PGMOL chief, FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.

With the Blues getting back into the game via the penalty, Lyndon Dykes popped up with an incredibly-timed winner away from home, netting in the eighth minute of added time.

Davies has built an incredible squad for the Championship, adding Demarai Gray, Kyogo Furuhashi, Bright Osayi-Samuels, and Marvin Ducksch during the summer transfer window at St Andrew’s Park.

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But it was Laird, who arrived from Man United in July 2023, who played the vital role in getting the promotion-targeting side back into the game before Dykes won it at the death.

Jay Stansfield scored from the penalty spot.

Their match against Ipswich Town was equally as controversial, with one Birmingham fan likely to be facing a major ban and assault charges for joining a mass brawl before being taken out by stewards.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “I’m less convinced about this decision.

I think it’s manufactured, and the referee has bought it.

It shouldn’t have been a penalty kick. 

“Defenders have to take great care because a careless challenge can quickly become a penalty kick, but the player seems to have gone down before the contact. 

Keith Hackett was unconvinced by Birmingham City’s penalty.

“The referee is in a really good position, so it’s one he should have turned down.