Auston Trusty scored a fantastic goal for Birmingham City on Friday night, helping them to a 2-0 win and receiving the Man of the Match award.

Starting for Birmingham City against QPR on Friday, Arsenal loanee Auston Trusty quickly made an impact with an impressive improvised finish.

As QPR attempted to clear a corner, former Gunner Krystian Bielik mishit a volleyed attempt on the follow-up, and the ball skewed towards Trusty. With his back to goal, Trusty attempted to flick the ball on with the outside of his foot. It flew over the goalkeeper and into the net.

https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/1586072951941730306

QPR were second in the table and looking to go top going into the game, so an early goal for Birmingham City was vital. They doubled their lead in the 29th minute, and managed to hold onto their clean sheet with the aid of a John Ruddy penalty save.

Speaking after the game, Trusty answered an interviewer’s question about whether he meant to score.

“Of course I meant that. I checked my shoulder and saw that… nah, I’m playing,” Trusty joked. “It was a good goal, I took advantage of an opportunity, the keeper was off his line. That’s what you do, just put it back in play. Kinda lucky, but I’ll take it.”

Even so, Trusty ended up with the Man of the Match award for the fixture, earning his team a vital three points.

Though Birmingham are still only up to 11th in the Championship standings, they’re currently just three points off the play-off places and their form is picking up after a very poor start – with three wins, one draw, and one defeat in their last five.

Those five results now include a win over second-place QPR and a draw with first-place Burnley, so there’s no reason the Blues can’t start to believe in themselves to continue rising up the table.

As for Trusty, he’s now scored three goals in his 18 appearances at centre-back for Birmingham. His reputation in the city is improving every week.