Birmingham 3 Manchester United 4 - a great game and a seventh consecutive United win in October-November 1907

 Manchester United’s great run continued when it faced Birmingham

(City only being added to the club’s name in 1943) at St Andrews.

With the home side struggling at the bottom of the League, the news that William Henry ‘Billy’ Jones was fit enough to play after a lengthy absence due to injury was a big boost. He was a popular player with the Birmingham fans, earning the nickname of the ‘Tipton Smasher’ for scoring over 100 goals in just over 250 appearances at the club in two spells between 1901/09 and 1912/13.

With the home half-backs finding it difficult to keep pace with the United forwards, it was no great surprise when the League leaders struck on 15 minutes, James Turnbull driving the ball home.

Thoughts that this might lead to another United rout was quickly dispelled when almost from the kick-off Billy Peplow crossed for Jones to head the equaliser. Five minutes later, Manchester United was back in the lead when Meredith nipped between Frank Cornon and Frank Stokes and, from a narrow angle, beat Nat Robinson with a powerful drive. Birmingham was level within 2 minutes, Ninty Eyre heading home, and at half-time the score remained 2-2.

In the 55th minute, Meredith again broke through the home defence to make it 3-2. Two minutes, later Duckworth passed to Wall, who from 12 yards out made it 4-2. In the 89th minute, Birmingham, who had never stopped trying, reduced the arrears when Eyre scored his second goal of the match.

Despite seven goals being scored, the Athletic News was full of praise for both ’keepers, who they felt had performed admirably.

Meredith was seen as the best player overall, although Jones was also lavishly praised. Both teams were cheered as they left the pitch.