Birmingham 1-0 Leeds: Lukas Jutkiewicz’s late penalty wins it for Blues as co-owner Tom Brady watches from the stands

Tom Brady made a surprise appearance in a Birmingham pub before the game and until the last minute here, the Blues’ new co-owner probably wished he had stayed there all afternoon.

The NFL great, a seven-time winner of the Super Bowl, invested in Birmingham last month and greeted Blues supporters in The Roost – a stone’s throw from St Andrew’s – in the hours before kick-off.

It looked for all the world as though Brady’s first taste of English football would end in a flat 0-0 draw. Then Daniel James bundled Ethan Laird over inside the box and seconds after coming on as substitute, Lukas Jutkiewicz fired in the penalty off the foot of keeper Illan Meslier. From his spot in the directors’ box, Brady beamed and embraced his fellow board members at full-time.

Leeds desperately need the transfer window to close. Fans voiced their anger at Wilfried Gnonto, who was not in the squad as he seeks a move away. Luis Sinisterra was another who did not travel, while fellow winger Crysencio Summerville missed out through injury. Tyler Adams is another set to depart.

Alongside chairman Tom Wagner, Brady took his seat shortly before kick-off and looked every inch the superstar, wearing shades despite the grey skies over the Second City.

The Championship clash at St Andrew’s looked set to end in a draw after a lack of chances 

Birmingham co-owner and NFL legend Tom Brady watched from the stands for the first time

If only he could have sprinkled a little stardust on this match. After relegation last season, Leeds were expected to be among the front-runners for promotion and there is more optimism at Blues, too, after the change in ownership and subsequent investment in the squad.

Yet if Brady was looking for entertainment, he would have been disappointed. Blues paid a moving tribute to their own homegrown hero, Trevor Francis, who passed away on July 24. Francis was also given a round of applause in the eighth minute, a nod to the number he wore for his boyhood club.

There was nobody remotely in Francis’ class on either side here. Daniel James looked bright for the visitors early on but was let down by his final pass. Leeds youngster Archie Gray produced another promising display in midfield and both sides were solid without the ball, though there was desperately little attacking spark.

James’ volley at the far post in the 10th minute was blocked by Blues centre-backs Dion Sanderson and Kevin Long, and at the other end Juninho Bacuna’s backheel sent in Ethan Laird, with Ethan Ampadu making a vital interception to cut out the cross.

Neither goalkeeper had much to do beyond claiming high balls and set pieces in a desperately dull opening period.

The second half was not much better although there were at least a couple of chances. Leeds substitute Georginio Rutter’s goalbound effort was blocked by Krystian Bielik and at the other end, the unmarked long somehow headed Bacuna’s corner wide. Then it was Leeds’ turn to go close as Sam Byram glanced a near-post header inches away.

Moments later, Blues winger Siriki Dembele’s curler was heading for the top corner before it was glanced wide and team-mate Scott Hogan volleyed over from close range.

And just when it seemed both sides would take a point, James effectively handed Blues the points with a ludicrous challenge on Laird. Jutkiewicz’s spot-kick was poor and straight at Illan Meslier, but luck was on his side as the ball hit Meslier’s foot and ricocheted into the net.

Jutkiewicz came off the bench to secure the Blues’ first win of the Championship season