A new era at St Andrew's. This was Birmingham's first home match since being taken over and the new chairman, Vico Hui, paraded around the ground before the game, grinning and shaking hands like a politician on election day before grabbing a microphone and promising "an exciting future".

If the 90 minutes that followed are anything to go by, the new regime might just be as a good as their word. This was by no means a thriller but Birmingham scored two goals in a match for the first time this season to earn a deserved victory over enigmatic Sunderland.

Initially, the visitors were brighter, forcing a series of corners as they prolonged the form that had enabled them to beat Liverpool last week.

However, without the injured Lee Cattermole Sunderland's early vibrancy soon evaporated, and Birmingham began to pass with increased purpose. The Sunderland goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, became a busy man, saving from James McFadden, Cameron Jerome and Christian Benitez, who was a constant menace.

But not even Gordon could deter the hosts in the 37th minute, when Sebastian Larsson sent in a rasping free-kick and striker Kenwyne Jones found himself attempting to mark four Birmingham players on his own team's six-yard line. Liam Ridgewell got a faint touch that took the ball into the net.

The Sunderland manager, Steve Bruce, had been warmly welcomed on his return to the club he managed for eight years, but it is unlikely he had anything but a scornful greeting for his lethargic players when they trudged in at half-time.

Whatever he did say to them made no discernible difference, as within three minutes of the restart Birmingham exposed more slovenly defending to go two up. Jerome found McFadden on the right-hand side of the area and the Scot turned Phil Bardsley before curling a low shot into the bottom left-hand corner.

Only after Bruce revamped his midfield with a triple substitution did Sunderland shudder back into life. Nine minutes from time they scored with their first shot on target -- Joe Hart misjudged an Andy Reid free-kick and Michael Turner's goalbound header was turned into his own net by Scott Dann.

Sunderland should have equalised. Jones headed at Hart from eight yards and Darren Bent missed an even better chance, slashing wide at the back post.

"The new owners are absolutely ecstatic," said the Birmingham manager, Alex McLeish. "It was very important to win this game. But it was also important not to be anxious throughout and I felt the way we took control for three-quarters of the game was tremendous.

"We were 2-0 up against Liverpool two seasons ago and there was a bit of deja vu.

"But the thing about this squad is I believe there's a bit more resilience than we had two years ago.

"We are persevering right to the very end, we are showing real strength of character when under the cosh.

"On another day, we should probably have been more goals up than the two, but we gifted them a goal and it put us under a bit of pressure.

"But we withstood it and credit to the new players who have come to the club."

The City fans will hope for a major cash investment in the squad -- as McLeish attempts to secure the club's top-flight status, although the Scot insisted there was no added pressure on them.

"I said to them before the game 'It's not a dress rehearsal, so enjoy it in the Premier League', and they looked as if they enjoyed their football today.

"But they have got to prove themselves every week. You can say they have nothing to prove, top players, but for me, you go out every week to prove yourself.

"I didn't put any pressure on them and say they were playing for their places. They know on the horizon, there might be new players to augment the squad because we have had problems injury-wise and the fragility of the squad has been evident."

Bruce was mournful: "You can't win in the Premier League if six or seven players are not at the races for an hour. You can't get away with it. We nearly did with a couple of wonderful chances, but that's not going to gloss over the first hour.

"The last half hour yes, but it was disappointing, the first hour because we have set ourselves high standards over the last few weeks and basically, we were poor, it has to be said."

- Paul Doyle at St Andrew's

Sunday Independent