Birmingham 2 Wanderers 0. Wanderers: 4-3-3

JUSSI JAASKELAINEN ... 6

Managed to get a hand to Forssell's miscued shot but could not keep it out; good save late on.

NICKY HUNT ... 5

Gave his all but lacked his usual effectiveness in what was a poor team display.

BRUNO N'GOTTY ... 6

Had to work hard to keep Forssell and Morrison from having a field day.

SIMON CHARLTON ... 5

Not his usual self at centre-back; would have made it interesting if he'd converted Wanderers only real chance.

ANTHONY BARNESS ... 5

Uncharacteristically untidy when he was caught in possession by Johnson, who went on to miss the target.

PER FRANDSEN ... 5

Looked to be labouring at times against such high-tempo opposition.

IVAN CAMPO ... 6

Got involved in things he should have left alone; not one of his better contributions.

JAY-JAY OKOCHA ... 5

By his own admission he deserved to be substituted; he could not disguise his disappointment.

KEVIN NOLAN ... 5

Spent so much time helping out in midfield, he was subdued as an attacking force.

KEVIN DAVIES ... 7

One of the few who match Birmingham's workrate; no joy against Taylor or Cunningham but never stopped trying.

YOURI DJORKAEFF ... 5

Faces up to three weeks on the sidelines after walking off with a hamstring injury after an effective 47 minutes.

Subs: Henrik Pedersen (5) for Djorkaeff 48 mins, Ibrahim Ba (5) for Okocha 63 mins, Stelios for Frandsen 79 mins. Not used: Steve Howey, Kevin Poole.

Birmingham City: 4-4-2

MAIK TAYLOR ... 7

OLIVIER TEBILY ... 7

KENNY CUNNINGHAM ... 8

MARTIN TAYLOR ... 7

MATTHEW UPSON ... 7

DAMIEN JOHNSON ... 8

ROBBIE SAVAGE ... 9

STEPHEN CLEMENCE ... 6

BRYAN HUGHES ... 7

MIKAEL FORSSELL ... 7

CLINTON MORRISON ... 6

Subs: Aliou Cisse for Clemence 77 mins, Stern John for Forssell 86 mins, Jeff Kenna for Johnson 88 mins. Not used: Darren Purse, Ian Bennett.

Referee: Andy D'Urso (Billericay, Essex).

Attendance: 23,008.

Goals: Birmingham -- Forssell 23 mins, Hughes 69 mins.

Shots/headers on target: Birmingham 6, Wanderers 2.

Corners: Birmingham 3, Wanderers 5.

Offsides: Birmingham 2, Wanderers 7.

Fouls committed: Birmingham 10, Wanderers 15.

Bookings: Birmingham -- Savage 83 mins (not retreating at free-kick); Wanderers -- Hunt 85 mins (foul on Forssell).

MAN OF THE MATCH

ROBBIE SAVAGE: LOATHE him all you want, the effervescent Welshman was outstanding, winning the midfield battle almost single-handedly. Few players have the ability to leave Okocha on the ground flailing, but Savage did it twice and did the same to Campo for good measure.

MAGIC MOMENT

FOR a split second as Frandsen's corner was deflected into his path, Simon Charlton looked to be all set for a rare goal against his former club. But Maik Taylor stole his thunder with an impressive save.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

WHEN they needed a spirited performance to prove to the doubters that they were over their Carling Cup disappointment, Wanderers were found desperately wanting for workrate, never mind quality, and that's just asking for trouble against a team as unpretenious, but as effective, as Birmingham.