Fulham - 2 Birmingham - 3: Birmingham's fourth consecutive win has them eyeing Europe instead of the Championship, but it took a fine opening goal by Emile Heskey to lift the contest out of the dross of the first 20 minutes and make it worthwhile.
Not that Fulham will see it that way. This was their sixth defeat in eight league games, their ninth in 13, and they are now fifth from bottom and giving fresh hope to those in the relegation zone. Their next three games - against Crystal Palace, Southampton and West Bromwich Albion, are clearly crucial. Boos from the home fans echoed around Craven Cottage during yesterday's game.
"It's particularly frustrating when you think how well we played against Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in spells," assistant manager Steve Kean said afterwards.
"I can understand the frustration of the fans and it's echoed by the staff and players. What we did last season is just a memory now. The table speaks for itself."
Kean's glum demeanour contrasted with that of City boss Steve Bruce. "I've always said that a side is only as good as its strikers. And of his type, by which I mean an old-fashioned English centre-forward, there's no one better than Emile Heskey in this country. He's got the lot."
Heskey broke the deadlock in the 25th minute. Receiving the ball from Robbie Savage, he played a one-two with Clinton Morrison and beat Edwin van der Sar with a rising drive. After no goals in 11 league starts, he has scored three in three games.
Fulham equalised nine minutes later through Sylvain Legwinski after a cross from the left from Tomasz Radzinski.
But Birmingham came back and Darren Carter scored in the 41st minute - Savage provided the long through-ball which Ian Pearce, under pressure from Heskey, could only half-clear.
And Savage soon made it 3-1 with a left-foot volley from the left after approach work from Heskey and Morrison.
Fulham pulled one back in injury-time through Radzinski, but by then Fulham fans were streaming out of the ground.
FULHAM: Van der Sar, Volz, Knight, Pearce (Rehman 45), Bocanegra, John (Hammond 57), Legwinski, Diop, Radzinski, Cole, McBride (Malbranque 56). Subs Not Used: Pembridge, Crossley. Booked: Rehman. Goals: Legwinski 34, Radzinski 90.
BIRMINGHAM: Maik Taylor, Tebily, Cunningham, Upson, Melchiot, Johnson, Carter, Savage (Anderton 86), Clapham, Heskey (Gray 75), Morrison (Clemence 82). Subs Not Used: Martin Taylor, Vaesen. Goals: Heskey 25, Carter 41, Savage 53.
Referee: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).
