Birmingham 3 Middlesbrough 1Birmingham City last night increased their chances of qualifying for a place in Europe by ending Middlesbrough's English League Cup celebrations.Boro, who had waited 128 years before winning their first major trophy, had little more than three days to saviour their triumph before Birmingham renewed their quest for a UEFA Cup place.
This was the first of two games in hand for Steve Bruce's team, and if the second, against Bolton Wanderers here on Saturday, ends in victory the Blues will be in fifth place in the Premiership.
Middlesbrough manager Steve McLaren made three changes to the line-up that had started in Cardiff, replacing Gaizka Mendieta, Doriva and Juninho with Jonathan Greening, Michael Ricketts, and Stewart Downing.
Birmingham also made three alterations to the starting XI that had lost to Sunderland in the FA Cup, with Darren Purse, Jeff Kenna and the injured David Dunn making way for Matthew Upson, Martin Taylor and Stephen Clemence.
George Boateng tested Maik Taylor with a low shot from distance while Downing's pace looked capable of unlocking the Birmingham's right flank.
The opposite wing, however, provided the source of Boro's most dangerous early moment. A cross from Danny Mills found Downing whose lay off to Joseph Desire-Job only failed to result in a goal because of a timely challenge by Kenny Cunningham.
Hughes was the provider for Birmingham's opener, pulling the ball back into the path of Mikael Forssell whose shot with the outside of his right boot deflected into the goal off the head of Martin Taylor.
Birmingham's second came direct from a free-kick by Robbie Savage.
Boro did get one back from Szilard Nemeth, but their hopes of revival were short lived as Johnson crossed from the right for Hughes to nod the ball in Forssell's path for the Finn to put the result beyond doubt.
BIRMINGHAM: Maik Taylor, Tebily, Cunningham, Martin Taylor, Upson, Johnson, Savage (Kenna 90), Clemence, Hughes, Forssell (John 83), Morrison (Carter 88). Subs Not Used: Bennett, Purse. Booked: Savage, Forssell, Morrison. Goals: Martin Taylor 23, Savage 57, Forssell 79.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Mills, Ehiogu, Southgate, Queudrue, Downing (Doriva 45), Zenden, Boateng, Greening (Nemeth 63), Ricketts, Job (Maccarone 45). Subs Not Used: Jones, Riggott. Sent Off: Zenden (87). Booked: Zenden, Ricketts, Boateng, Ehiogu. Goals: Nemeth 75.
Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).
