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Page last updated at 20:52 GMT, Tuesday, 16 September 2008 21:52 UK

Bristol City 1-2 Birmingham

Birmingham continued their fine start to the season with a determined victory over Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

The visitors took the lead after eight minutes as Sebastian Larsson's teasing left-wing free-kick was helped into his own net by City captain Louis Carey.

Cameron Jerome extended that lead when he made the most of acres of space in the box to tap in David Murphy's cross.

The hosts responded and Lee Trundle drilled in a beauty from long range but Birmingham held firm to seal victory.


Bristol City manager Gary Johnson told BBC Radio Bristol:

"Where it matters in both penalty areas we were second, they had two good finishes - even our finish was 45 yards out - it wasn't in the penalty area and we've got to do quite a bit of work.

"For the amount of play we've had I want a quality cross in to the box and then movement in the box - and that includes centre-halves when they're up there as well for corners and set plays.

"We had - on numerous occasions - many people in the box, but didn't quite get ourselves free and that was probably the difference between the two sides, because I thought in between the two 18-yard boxes we played very well."

Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish:
"We won without being pretty against Doncaster on Saturday and this time we won looking a lot more pretty.

"That suggests a major improvement on the previous performance and it was a great three points for us against very good opposition.

"We played really well in the first half, but gave ourselves problems in the second by giving the ball away. Overall, however, I am thrilled with the lads."


Bristol City: Basso (Weale 37), Orr (Trundle 70), Carey, Fontaine, McAllister, Williams (Sproule 53), Skuse, Johnson, McIndoe, Adebola, Maynard.
Subs Not Used: Webster, Elliott.

Booked: Carey.

Goals: Trundle 79.

Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Parnaby (Kelly 68), Ridgewell, Martin Taylor, Murphy, Larsson, Agustien (Owusu-Abeyie 81), Carsley (Bent 65), McSheffrey, McFadden, Jerome.
Subs Not Used: Phillips, Krysiak.

Booked: Agustien, Martin Taylor, Larsson.

Goals: Carey 8 og, Jerome 24.

Att: 18,456

Ref: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).


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