Kenna goal seals win for Birmingham

Birmingham 2 Southampton 1

Goals from Jeff Kenna have been a rare commodity during his career but he struck for the second time in a fortnight to complete a stirring Blues comeback against Gordon Strachan’s side.

The former Republic of Ireland international had netted just once in eight and a half years before hitting the target against Manchester City on St Stephen's Day.

Then the 33-year-old, out of contract in the summer, popped up midway through the second half to convert a cross from Clinton Morrison and sink the Saints.

To add to their misery David Prutton was dismissed for violent conduct immediately after that goal for appearing to elbow Kenna who needed stitches before being able to continue.

All eyes were on Saints manager Gordon Strachan after his decision to quit Saints at the end of the season.

But his enthusiasm outwardly at least appeared undiminished as he bobbled up and down like a jack-in-a-box in the dug-out.

Saints started brightly and Brett Ormerod – who replaced the axed Kevin Phillips – put them ahead but the home side gradually established a grip on proceedings.

David Dunn sparkled in midfield and he is starting to show why Steve Bruce paid £5.5million for his services last summer.

Southampton started brightly and Beattie send a near-post header inches wide after he had got in front of Darren Purse to meet a centre from Anders Svensson.

Then after five minutes Ormerod put the Saints ahead. Jason Dodd’s corner was chested down by Rory Delap on the edge of the area and he had time to cut inside before firing in a fierce low drive.

Taylor did well to parry the ball away but Ormerod was first to react and he hammered his shot into the corner of the net.

Blues looked at sixes and sevens in the early stages although Damien Johnson shot over when well placed after Clinton Morrison had cut the ball back into his path.

A fine pass from the sharp-looking Dunn found striker Morrison in space but he failed to notice Stephen Clemence totally unmarked in the centre and the chance went begging.

The home side began to get a foothold in the match and after 17 minutes were back on level terms through Clemence.

The recalled Bryan Hughes’ deep corner found the head of the former Tottenham midfielder and it flew into the corner of the net.

He turned away to celebrate although replays suggested Mikael Forssell or even Saints defender Fitz Hall could have applied the faintest of final touches

Delap became the first player to be yellow-carded by referee Steve Bennett after a crude challenge on Dunn.

Saints keeper Antti Niemi was relieved to see a dipping effort from Hughes fly inches over his crossbar.

But Beattie was still posing a threat for the Saints and he found himself with another run at goal after taking a pass from Fernandes in his stride.

He elected to try and curl the ball past Taylor with the outside of his right foot and the keeper was able to smother his effort.

Niemi produced a superb save to tip over a 25-yard drive from Morrison and a minute before the interval a combination of Svensson and Hall kept out a Purse header from a Hughes corner.

Dunn continued to impress after the break and he was brought down on the edge of the Saints penalty area after being brought down in full flight by Prutton.

He took the free-kick himself and Niemi produced a superb save to fingertip his curling effort around the post.

Then after 67 minutes Kenna struck to put Blues ahead. He exchanged passes with Morrison before sliding the ball past Niemi from close range.

Saints were then reduced to 10 men when Prutton was given his straight red card after appearing to elbow Kenna who had to leave the pitch for stitches.

Blues had chances to kill off the game with Forssell inches wide from 25 yards out and Morrison rattling the crossbar from a narrow angle after beating Niemi to the ball.