Middlesbrough 1 Birmingham 0:  Birmingham must be sick of the sight of Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka as the Australian rubbed salt into their relegation wounds with his first Premiership goal for three months.

It is now five goals in four matches against the Blues as he scored both in a 2-1 home victory last season, and another brace in the 3-0 win at St Andrews in August.

More importantly for Viduka and Boro, this latest win lifts them 11 points clear of a bottom three headed by City manager Steve Bruce’s side.

Middlesbrough are now sitting relatively pretty on 34 points, the same total that guaranteed safety for West Brom last season.

Aware of West Brom’s 2-1 defeat at home to Chelsea before kick off, the incentive was there for Bruce’s side to finally lift themselves out of the bottom three for the first time since mid-October.

Emile Heskey, ploughing a lone furrow in attack as Bruce opted for five across the middle, was picked out by a piercing right-wing ball from captain Mario Melchiot.

Stooping to connect, but with the goal gaping from seven yards, Heskey produced a cushioned header that finished half a yard wide to the frustration of Bruce.

David Dunn, the driving force of the City midfield, showed a superb turn of speed to round Queudrue in latching onto a low curling ball into the near post from Jermaine Pennant.

However, in stretching out his right foot to stab a shot goalwards, Mark Schwarzer was on hand to block — and it would not be for the first time in the game.

But if visiting City had missed two great chances, the one that fell for Yakubu in the 33rd minute can only be described as a sitter.

Controlling a Viduka flick just inside the area, Yakubu turned, only for an air shot to follow at his first attempt.

On the stroke of half time Viduka scored his ninth goal of the season.

After beating Bruce on the edge of the area, he then sent Taylor the wrong way by feinting to shoot with his right foot before driving home with his left from a tight angle.