Birmingham ahead by one at half-time

Birmingham 1 Leeds 0 HT

Paul Devlin gave Birmingham a deserved half-time lead in their Premiership clash with Leeds at St Andrews.

The home side dominated the opening half hour but Leeds twice came close to equalising when only the woodwork denied Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell.

Devlin became the first City player to go into referee Paul Durkin’s notebook for a challenge on Ian Harte.

But the home side continued to dominate proceedings and it came as no surprise when Devlin, who was causing plenty of problems down the right flank, put Birmingham ahead after 31 minutes.

Grainger and Savage played a one-two after a corner before sending the ball into the path of Devlin from 20 yards out.

He did not hesitate and his low first-time effort flew past the dive of Robinson into the corner of the net.

Leeds were clearly shaken by the onslaught from Blues and when they did hit back Bakke had the ball in the net only for his efforts to be ruled out for offside.

Bakke and Lee Bowyer were booked in quick succession and then Savage was only just off target with a volley from a narrow angle.

Savage showed his bravery when he picked up a bang on the head after going in bravely to deny Kewell.

Leeds started to look dangerous as half-time approached and twice the woodwork saved Birmingham.

First Viduka chipped the ball over Vaesen after being sent clear by Kewell only for his shot to clip the post.

Then Kewell tried his luck from 20 yards out and again Vaesen could only stand and watch as his shot clipped the crossbar.