Birmingham bring down Boro

Birmingham City FC secured a 3-1 victory against English League Cup winners Middlesbrough FC in the Premiership tonight.

Deflected opener
The visitors, who claimed their first ever major trophy on Sunday, were on the back foot from the outset. They finally fell behind midway through the first half as Mikael Forssell's shot was deflected off Martin Taylor to leave goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer with no chance.

Schwarzer save
Middlesbrough rested Juninho Paulista and Gaizka Mendieta three days after winning the first trophy in the club's history and struggled to get back into the match, and it needed a fine save from Schwarzer to keep out Clinton Morrision's effort.

Fine free-kick
The visitors were unlucky not to draw level as Boudewijn Zenden's free-kick led to a goalmouth scramble that led to Ugo Ehiogu prodding wide, but then fell further behind as Robbie Savage curled in a fine free-kick.

Forsell clincher
Substitute Szilard Nemeth halved the deficit with a low shot 15 minutes from time, but Forsell restored Birmingham's two-goal cushion, and Middlesbrough's slender hopes were ended by Zenden's dismissal three minutes from time.