FA Premiership: Birnmingham City - 0 Chelsea - 0:    It was not precisely the way Chelsea might have wanted to return to the top of the Premiership, and they had enough second-half possession to have done rather better, but this goalless draw was enough to take them past both Arsenal and Manchester United.

It may be temporary, but as the setting sun cast a red glow over the city at the start of this absorbing match Chelsea might have been tempted to see it as the sinking of all things red.

Birmingham made the sort of opening that has epitomised their excellent start to the season, but Chelsea grew in composure and strength and will ultimately have been disappointed not to win. Their two clearest openings fell to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and, rather unusually, he missed both.

After losing their unbeaten record at Old Trafford 10 days ago, Steve Bruce urged his players to hustle and bustle Chelsea from the word go, not allowing Claudio Ranieri's side to construct any sort of framework on which to build.

Birmingham made a vibrant start with Aliou Cisse and David Dunn cutting a swathe down the right, only for Dunn's cross to elude everybody. Yet Chelsea's response was immediate and should have seen them take the lead.

Wayne Bridge made a wonderful run down the left with no Birmingham defender able to either block or stop him. However, having swooped clear, the Chelsea full back could only watch frustrated after his measured pass had fallen to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink who appeared a cast-iron certainty to score.

But as the Chelsea striker was on the point of crashing the ball past Maik Taylor, Jamie Clapham managed to get across and deflect the shot away for a corner.

Far from being shaken by the let-off, Birmingham were stirred and Chelsea were themselves fortunate that when Carlo Cudicini could only push out a cross by Stan Lazaridis there was no City player following up.

Birmingham continued to attack with brio and Christophe Dugarry cleverly found space only to shoot straight at the Chelsea goalkeeper, who was no doubt anticipating a much sterner test.

The initial, somewhat frenetic tempo slowed a touch. Birmingham swung the ball around with conviction while rapidly closing Chelsea down in midfield and snuffing out danger at source wherever possible.

However, the visitors gradually settled and looked to impose a rather more measured beat, with Joe Cole particularly dangerous, scampering into space and always attempting to play his team-mates in behind the Birmingham defences.

Not that Chelsea's control was absolute and a slightly quicker release by Dunn would have seen Dugarry up and away with no defender within a yard of him. Unfortunately Dunn delayed the pass too long and was closed down. The Frenchman waved his arms in frustration; Dunn hung his head.

As half-time approached Chelsea were looking more and more dangerous, and a looping cross by Frank Lampard cleared a path for Hernan Crespo, but together Kenny Cunningham and Taylor managed to see him off.

Chelsea continued to squeeze Birmingham after the restart with Cole once more the fulcrum of their better moves. City were missing Robbie Savage in midfield and it remains touch and go whether the Welsh international will be fit for this Sunday's derby against Aston Villa.

Bruce became more and more agitated at his side's inability to keep possession as Chelsea moved the ball around with precision. Fortunately for Birmingham, Chelsea were less effective in front of goal, the home side defending resolutely and in numbers.

Hasselbaink might have given his side the lead once again when a rare defensive slip by the Birmingham defence saw the striker clear on the left and surging in on Taylor. The Birmingham goalkeeper, sent off against Manchester United, refused to be intimidated and the Dutchman's fierce shot ricocheted off his leg to safety.

BIRMINGHAM: Taylor, Tebily, Cunningham, Upson, Clapham, Johnson, Cisse, Clemence (Hughes 78), Lazaridis, Dugarry (John 85), Dunn. Subs Not Used: Bennett, Kenna, Morrison. Booked: Dugarry, Cisse.

CHELSEA: Cudicini, Johnson, Terry, Huth, Bridge, Makelele, Lampard, Cole (Duff 66), Geremi, Crespo, Hasselbaink (Gudjohnsen 78). Subs Not Used: Ambrosio, Stanic, Melchiot. Booked: Terry, Huth, Johnson, Makelele.

Referee: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).