Chris Davies admits Tomoki Iwata surprise after Birmingham City down Bolton

Chris Davies believes his Birmingham City side produced one of their most dominant displays of the season to beat Bolton Wanderers 2-0 on home turf.

Blues put a fellow pre-season promotion favourite to the sword to extend their lead at the top of the League One table to four points. Tomoki Iwata and Jay Stansfield scored either side of half-time at St Andrew’s.

“I thought it was one of our better performances, definitely,” Davies reflected. “There was a period in the first half which was one of our strongest periods. We had a relentlessness about us today.

“We spoke before the game that they’re a good team at this level, one of the better teams. They were play-off finalists last year and they’ll be up there again, in and around it, I’m sure. It was about pressing intensity, hard work, running, chasing and we did that.

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“With the ball we had good control but we were fluid with it. We were moving in the right positions at the right times, and making the right runs, and we created some good chances.”

Iwata was signed for his combative qualities but the Japanese midfielder has scored four goals in his first nine Blues outings. The 27-year-old netted once for previous club Celtic in 18 months and had 12 career goals before joining Blues.

Davies commented: “I didn’t know he would have scored so many goals so early, but the goals he has scored have been really high level. He’s arriving onto things and finishing well from different types of angles and positions.

“This one was probably the pick of the bunch because it’s come out of the air and he’s watched it come all the way down and control it with his left foot. It’s a difficult technique. It was an exceptional goal.

“It’s not just that, it’s what he gives the team, as well as the others. He’s humble and works hard for the team. He’s there every game, up for it, and that’s why he’s been important for us.”