City's quest for Europe a reality

Premiership/Birmingham City 3 Everton 0A season that began with Steve Bruce insisting Birmingham City's sole objective was Premiership survival is fast becoming a quest for Europe.

This win over a pedestrian Everton was their biggest of the season, and they have a game in hand on the other contenders for a UEFA Cup place.

The rout began when Robbie Savage delivered a corner on the right. Although his cross was headed clear by Thomas Gravesen, it only went as far as Damien Johnson on the edge of the area. His shot made its way through a posse of defenders and into the far corner of Nigel Martyn's goal.

Everton's response was as predictable as it was unimaginative and they opted for the tried and tested, aiming long balls at the head of Duncan Ferguson. Such tactics are meat and drink to Darren Purse and Kenny Cunningham, and they were seldom troubled.

Stan Lazaridis added a second shortly before the interval. After collecting a pass from Savage in his own half, the Australian embarked on a speedy, purposeful and unchecked 40-yard run before unleashing a fierce cross-shot into the roof of the net.

Their third was another fine goal, and again Savage was involved. On this occasion the Welsh midfielder took advantage of poor control by Alan Stubbs and slipped the ball to Mikael Forssell, who until this juncture had done little. The Finn is an accomplished striker, however, and he showed it by hitting a low, left-foot shot on the turn from 18 yards into the corner of the goal.

BIRMINGHAM: Maik Taylor, Tebily, Purse, Cunningham, Upson, Johnson, Savage (Dugarry 63), Hughes, Lazaridis (John 76), Forssell (Martin Taylor 80), Morrison. Subs Not Used: Bennett, Kenna. Booked: Tebily. Goals: Johnson 8, Lazaridis 39, Forssell 49.

Everton: Martyn, Hibbert, Stubbs, Unsworth (Pistone 45), Naysmith, Rooney, Carsley, Gravesen, Kilbane, Radzinski (McFadden 60), Ferguson (Campbell 45). Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Linderoth.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).