Birmingham City 2 Wigan Athletic 1Steve Bruce did not emerge to answer questions after victory over Wigan, citing a throat strained in bellowing instructions as his excuse to remain with his players in that rarest of locations, a victorious Birmingham dressingroom. As this was only the second win at home this season, at least his touchline exertions had not been in vain.
First-half goals from Jermaine Pennant, whose performance satisfied most definitions of mercurial, and Mario Melchiot secured an ultimately comfortable win over a Wigan side performing far short of the standards that have elevated them into the Premiership's top six.
It was the home side's first win in six games and, crucially, allowed Bruce's side to capitalise on West Brom's defeat in the lunchtime derby with Aston Villa to move within three points of safety.
Predictably slim pickings from Christmas fixtures against Spurs, Chelsea and Manchester United which had yielded a single point had piled extra importance on to Birmingham's first game of 2006, and though they remain 19th and in considerable trouble, victory went a long way to easing the anxiety of a St Andrew's crowd that has grown used to Premiership football.
Pennant's performance, which encompassed the abject and the inspirational, was the chief reason Bruce will face the new year with renewed faith. The winger personified his side's poor start, attracting derision for a series of misplaced passes and free-kicks. So poor was his early delivery that Stan Lazaridis, at full back, drew applause for displacing him at one set-piece.
With the intended mainspring of Birmingham's attacks, Jiri Jarosik, equally uncertain operating off Emile Heskey, frustration ensued until the first decent move of the game transformed Pennant's afternoon.
Julian Gray combined on the left with Jarosik, at last shaking off his torpor, and the Czech's marvellous left-foot cross found Pennant in space at the far post. His header was unerring, leaving the diving Mike Pollitt with no chance as the ball cannoned in off his right-hand upright.
With Wigan offering little to threaten a Birmingham back four bolstered by the inclusion of Matthew Upson, defying an ankle injury to maintain his record of playing every minute this season, it took just 12 minutes for the home side to double their lead. An outswinging Pennant corner from the right led to efforts on goal from Upson and Muzzy Izzet, both of which deflected off Wigan centre-half Stephane Henchoz before falling to Melchiot, who slipped the ball home from six yards.
BIRMINGHAM CITY: Maik Taylor, Melchiot (Martin Taylor 45), Cunningham, Upson, Lazaridis, Pennant, Izzet (Kilkenny 84), Johnson, Gray, Jarosik (Pandiani 74), Heskey. Subs not used: Vaesen, Butt. Booked: Heskey. Goals: Pennant 20, Melchiot 33.
WIGAN: Pollitt, Chimbonda, Henchoz, De Zeeuw, Wright, Bullard (Kavanagh 73), Francis, Skoko (Teale 45), McCulloch (Connolly 71), Camara, Roberts. Subs not used: Filan, Jackson. Booked: Chimbonda, McCulloch.
Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).
