Ratings: How the Blues players rated in first game since McCarthy exit announcement

Bartosz Bialkowski is beaten from the penalty spot by Jota. Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

Bartosz Bialkowski

Got close to keeping Jota’s penalty out before producing a superb save with his legs just a few minutes later to keep Che Adams’ heavily deflected effort out of the net. Made another good save in the second half to deny Lukas Jutkiewicz. 7

Jordan Spence

Got forward well and was, at times, the Blues’ most advanced player as he got up the right flank, having two headed chances in the early minutes of the first half. It continued in the second as he defended well and handed Maghoma when the pair were matched up. 7

Jota celebrates his goal from the penalty spot against Ipswich Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

Cameron Carter-Vickers

Struggled with Jacques Maghoma for much of the game as the pacy wideman looked to run at the Ipswich defence. Was beaten by pace for the penalty, which he and his team-mates disputed, but recovered well and made some good blocks. Has had better afternoons. 5

Luke Chambers

Got his head on balls into the box time and again during the first half and helped keep the defensive shape at the end of a difficult week. 6

Mustapha Carayol leaps into a challenge with Birmingham's Wes Harding Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

Adam Webster

Defended well and looked to move out from the back when in possession on a number of occasions. Some of his balls out from the back were hits, others were misses, but the intent was there as he supported Knudsen in more advanced positions than often. 6

Jonas Knudsen

Back from international duty with Denmark and a solid display from the full-back. He, like many of his team-mates, was guilty of giving the ball away but he managed to get forward well and put in a couple of dangerous crosses. 6

Cameron Carter-Vickers concedes the first half penalty at Birmingham Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

Cole Skuse

Got his foot on the ball and looked to move it around without being able to get it forward for his strikers to profit from. The Ipswich midfield, despite having an extra man centrally, was not able to dominate. 6

Callum Connolly

Looked exhausted as he walked off to be replaced by Hyam but, before then, put himself about and battled well. Some of his passing was loose and he lacked the drive forward which made him such a weapon in November and December. 5

Martyn Waghorn is upended at Birmingham Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

Grant Ward

Played in a more central role, as he did at Bristol City, and was given space to roam across the pitch and pop up on either flank. Looked to run at his man whenever he could, looking positive before being replaced by Bersant Celina. 6

Freddie Sears

Again looked much more comfortable in a central striking role as he hooked onto the last should of defenders and chased lost causes. Wasn’t able to link up with Waghorn as often as he would like and had few sights of goal, but caused problems. 7

Jonas Knudsen is outnumbered at Birmingham Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

Martyn Waghorn

You have to feel for the striker who had very little sight of goal throughout the 90 minutes, but did have the Blues’ only shot on target in the second half. Looked to run into space and between his defenders but so often wasn’t provided with the right ball by his team-mates. 6

Bersant Celina (for Ward, 55)

Looked bright following his introduction and looked to make something happen without ever being able to. 6

Ipswich Manager Mick McCarthy at St. Andrews Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

Luke Hyam (for Connolly, 70)

Came on for a tired Connolly and added fresh legs to midfield without truly being able to stamp an authority on the game. 6

Mustapha Carayol (for Sears, 76)

The winger returned from injury and had one run into the box without being able to cause too much danger. 6