Birmingham win at home at last

Birmingham 1 Fulham 0

Nicky Butt gave Birmingham a Premiership lifeline by heading a late winner to secure a first home success of the campaign for Steve Bruce’s side.

The on-loan Newcastle midfielder stooped to deflect the ball past Mark Crossley from close range after Emile Heskey had turned a cross from substitute Jamie Clapham into his path.

It ended a miserable run of just one point from the previous seven games at St Andrews and the final whistle was greeted with wild scenes of joy from the 27,000 crowd.

Birmingham produced the vastly improved performance demanded by Steve Bruce who made five changes from the starting line-up against West Ham.

Bruce had called for a return to basics and the never say die spirit which had been the trademark of City’s first two seasons in the Premier League.

The home side dominated the final 45 minutes and looked like they would rue Heskey, Clemence and Butt all failing to convert decent headed opportunities - but then came Butt’s vital contribution.

One swallow does not make a summer but Bruce will be hoping this signals the major revival that will be needed to move out of relegation trouble.

Heskey caused problems throughout, leading the line effectively, while David Dunn caused problems from the centre of the park but there was an overall improvement from all the Blues players including Butt.

Injuries and a lengthy ban have meant a stop-start to life at Blues for the former England player but he grew in stature as the game progressed.

Fulham showed plenty of resilience with Zat Knight impressive at the back but they are still searching for their first away win of 2005-2006 and remain on the fringe of the relegation zone.

Blues began brightly and Dunn was soon showing his trickery with a mazy crossfield run before being stopped in his tracks by a mis-timed challenge from Steed Malbranque.

Dunn was carrying on from where he left off against the Hammers and Phillipe Cristanval was forced to haul down the former England Under-21 captain 30 yards from goal.

But the former Blackburn player would have been disappointed with his free-kick attempt which flew straight at Mark Crossley – although that proved to be the only on target effort in the first 45 minutes.

Fulham had shown their resilience in the goalless draw at West Brom last weekend after being reduced to 10 men following the sending off of Luis Boa Morte and they were again tough to break down.

In a rare counter-attack a fine pass from recalled Fulham defender Zat Knight played in Thomasz Radzinski behind the home defence and Blues skipper Kenny Cunningham had to come across to cover.

Fulham started to come more into the game and a free-kick from Liam Rosenoir picked out Knight on the edge of the Blues box but his first time effort flew well wide.

It was 25 minutes before the first semblance of a chance fell to Fulham striker Brian McBride.

Malbranque found Radzinski in space on the left and his cross picked out McBride but he was unable to get on top of the ball and directed his header over the bar.

Heskey was being given little in the way of support and Dunn, who was supposed to be Birmingham’s second striker, was doing his best work in the middle third of the park.

Olivier Tebily forced Blues’ first corner in first half injury-time but Crossley managed to hold on to Stephen Clemence’s centre.

Malbranque put over one of the most dangerous crosses of the game early in the second period and John was only inches away from making contact after getting clear of the City defence.

Bruce did not wait long to make his first substitution, bringing on Jermaine Pennant in place of Lazaridis after 53 minutes as the home side stepped up a gear.

Crossley had his body behind a low powerful drive from Pennant after Heskey had laid the ball into his path.

Heskey had Birmingham’s best chance to date after 57 minutes when he made a perfectly timed run to reach Dunn’s left-wing centre but he sent his header straight at Crossley.

Blues were looking the more threatening and Crossley did well to turn aside a curling effort from the edge of the box by Dunn.

It was his last piece of meaningful action before he was replaced by Jamie Clapham. The decision was greeted by boos but Dunn was clearly tired in what only his second start since returning to action.

The impressive Clemence had a chance to become the Blues hero but he sent his header straight at Crossley from Heskey’s centre but then Butt struck with six minutes remaining.