Birmingham win relegation battle

Birmingham 1 Sunderland 0

Emile Heskey ended his goal drought to give Birmingham a Premiership relegation life-line at the expense of Mick McCarthy’s Sunderland.

The one-time Enland striker netted only his second league goal since his brace against West Brom at The Hawthorns in late August.

It means that Steve Bruce’s side are only three points adrift of Albion, who take on Middlesbrough in another basement scrap on Sunday.

This was never going to be a game for the purists given what was at stake, but all that mattered was the result for the Blues at the start of a three-game run which also included matches with Boro and West Brom.

Birmingham deserved the three points for looking the more threatening of the two teams and they had enough opportunities in the second period to have killed off the Wearsiders’ brave challenge more comfortably.

Martin Latka impressed at the heart of the Birmingham defence which was deprived of the first-choice duo of skipper Kenny Cunningham and Matthew Upson through injury.

Jermaine Pennant was a constant menace while DJ Campbell, who had netted twice for Brentford in their FA Cup win over Sunderland last month, was also a lively figure in attack when he replaced Chris Sutton in the second half.

Sunderland had little to offer as an attacking force as they slumped to a 20th away league defeat in their last 22 games, although Kevin Kyle tried his best to break his Premiership scoring duck.

The first half was a nervy affair virtually devoid of any entertainment with neither goalkeeper having a shot to save worthy of the name.

Sunderland were full of passion and commitment and Blues defender Latka made a couple of tidy interceptions while Mario Melchiot put in an important block tackle on Nyron Nosworthy.

Kyle went for glory with a 30-yard volley but, although it was well struck, it flew straight at Maik Taylor.

Blues boss Steve Bruce was forced into a substitution after 25 minutes with Damien Johnson limping out of the action to be replaced by Nicky Butt.

There was a mixture of boos and cheers for the arrival of Butt following his walk-out of the Blues team hotel after not being included in the 16 for the recent match at West Ham.

It was 27 minutes before City produced a worthwhile attempt on goal with Jiri Jarosik’s rising cross-shot from 25 yards containing plenty of power but flashing wide.

Jarosik had another fierce drive blocked by Danny Collins and Muzzy Izzet failed to connect properly with an overhead kick from Pennant’s cross.

Then out of the blue Emile Heskey broke the deadlock in the 39th minute with his first goal in nearly three months.

Nosworthy was booked for holding back Jarosik and the free-kick from Pennant was floated to the far post where an unmarked Heskey headed home.

McCarthy opted for a double half-time substitution with Stephen Elliott and Rory Delap replacing Daryl Murphy and Liam Lawrence respectively.

Bruce brought on Campbell and he was quickly involved in the action, Davis forced to race out of his area and clear from the former warehouse worker after he had raced onto Jarosik’s through ball.

Whitehead becamethe second Sunderland player to be booked for chopping down Pennant as the home side started to dominate proceedings.

A dangerous cross from Pennant eluded everyone and then Heskey got on the end of a ball into the near post from the same player but sent his header just past the post.

Davis came to Sunderland’s rescue with two reflex saves in the space of a few seconds.

First he denied Campbell at close range after a shot from Jarosik had deflected into his path and then Davis blocked Heskey’s shot from a cross to the far post by Gray.

Davis also excelled himself to turn a drive from Blues substitute David Dunn over the bar.