Southampton 4-3 Birmingham

Three Southampton goals in the first 19 minutes denied Birmingham the chance to go top of the Championship.

Kenwyne Jones put the home side two up with an 18-yard strike and a header before Rudi Skacel drilled in a third.

Birmingham twice hit the post but a Cameron Jerome header and Nicolas Bendtner strike gave the visitors hope.

Bradley Wright-Phillips put Southampton 4-2 up but Radhi Jaidi's header set up a thrilling climax which saw Dudley Campbell hit the post for the visitors.

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Southampton manager George Burley:

"Looking back over the 90 minutes of the game I felt we deserved to win it.

"In the first half I thought we were magnificent and we deserved our three-goal lead.

"For the first 10 minutes of the game Birmingham were on top but I changed our formation and it made a big difference," added Burley.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce:

"I couldn't believe we were 3-0 down at half time. I thought we were the better side.

"Every time we got forward we were always looking as if we would score and I felt we had the better chances.

"We've got a few home games to come and we'll be looking to get back into the promotion picture."

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Southampton: Davis, Ostlund, Baird, Lundekvam, Bale, Surman (Viafara 82), Wright, Pele, Skacel (Licka 89), Rasiak, Jones (Wright-Phillips 77).
Subs Not Used: Bialkowski, Makin.

Booked: Lundekvam, Skacel.

Goals: Jones 14, 17, Skacel 19, Wright-Phillips 78.

Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Kelly, Martin Taylor, Jaidi, Sadler, Danns (Jerome 52), Muamba (Nafti 59), Clemence, Larsson (Campbell 78), Bendtner, McSheffrey.
Subs Not Used: Doyle, Upson.

Booked: Jaidi, Muamba, Kelly, Jerome.

Goals: Jerome 68, Bendtner 72, Jaidi 90.

Att: 21,889

Ref: I Williamson (Berkshire).

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