17.08.2018 22:45 h

Swansea held by Birmingham in Championship stalemate

Swansea were unable to extend their 100 percent start to the Championship season as the promotion chasers were held to a 0-0 draw at Birmingham on Friday.

Relegated from the Premier League last season, Swansea are hoping for a quick return to the top tier and they had made a flying start with wins in their first two matches.

But Graham Potter's side were under the cosh for long periods as Birmingham dominated at St Andrew's.

Despite their impressive show, Birmingham are yet to win in the Championship this season and their manager Garry Monk once again failed to beat his former club.

Since Monk left Swansea in December 2015, he has taken charge of Leeds, Middlesbrough and Birmingham against the Welsh club without earning three points.

This was the closest Monk has come to a victory.

Harlee Dean's cross was almost scrambled in by Omar Bogle and Birmingham's new striker -- on loan from Cardiff -- threatened again with a low shot from outside the box.

When Lukas Jutkiewicz's header was well saved by Swansea debutant Erwin Mulder, the ball landed on the line before bouncing into the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for a push on the keeper by Michael Morrison.

Dean's header forced Muller to save before Jutkiewicz fired just wide and by half-time Birmingham had amassed 14 shots compared to one by Swansea in the first half.

Swansea did a better job of subduing the hosts after the interval and Birmingham's only chance came when Jutkiewicz tried to prod home before Martin Olsson chested clear to save the visitors.