Leeds Birmingham’s first Premiership victims

Birmingham 2 Leeds 1

Birmingham 2 Leeds 1

Damien Johnson's stunning goal earned Blues a first victory in the Premiership as below-par Leeds slumped to their second shock defeat in the space of 72 hours.

Johnsen curled an unstoppable shot past the despairing dive of Paul Robinson after 58 minutes to give Steve Bruce's side a deserved three points.

And Birmingham's general performance will give them the belief that they can survive in the Premiership, particularly that in the opening 45 minutes.

READ MORE

The Blues fans look to have found a new hero in Senegal captain Aliou Cisse who bossed the middle of the park in partnership with Robbie Savage.

Cisse was a non-stop ball of energy for 90 minutes and has effortlessly adjusted to life in the Premiership after his move from Paris St Germain.

Savage was his usual terrier-like self and Leeds struggled to gain any control in midfield for long periods.

Up front Stern John was a constant threat with his skill and Devlin was a handful on the right flank.

Terry Venables will be desperately disappointed with his side's general performance and, as against Sunderland, too many players failed to deliver the goods, with Lee Bowyer one of few players to emerge with much credit.

And the early season euphoria at Elland Road created after emphatic wins over Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion will dissolve unless there is a stark improvement.