Blues blow Leicester away

Saturday's Premiership photos

Leicester 0-2 Birmingham

Birmingham ended their miserable recent run to beat nine-man Leicester in a highly-charged Midlands derby.

Leicester were reduced to 10 men just before the interval after referee Mike Riley dismissed Matt Elliott for a challenge on David Dunn.

Birmingham quickly exploited Elliott's absence taking the lead through Clinton Morrison.

Leicester's hopes of rescuing the game were dealt a further blow when goalkeeper Ian Walker was sent off and soon after Mikael Forssell made the game safe for Birmingham.

So bad tempered was the game that Riley also sent off Leicester manager Micky Adams for an outburst he directed towards the referee as the players came off at the interval.

The pre-match proceedings had shown none of the animosity that was to follow - Robbie Savage receiving a standing ovation on his return to City.

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That welcome was soon forgotten and once the game started Savage was booed every time he touched the ball.

He also incurred the wrath of the home crowd for a full-blooded challenge on Impey but escaped a caution.

Riley was having a busy time of it, blowing for 17 free-kicks in the first half-hour.

He was soon whistling furiously again, booking Scowcroft after 32 minutes after a challenge on Jamie Clapham and Damien Johnson after he left his foot in on Ben Thatcher.

Not long after Riley reached for his red card after Elliott caught Dunn in the face with his forearm in an aerial challenge.

In the Leicester captain's absence Birmingham went ahead when Clapham crossed from the left of the penalty area and Morrison steered his shot home.

As Birmingham looked to protect their lead, Stephen Clemence was booked for a late tackle on Muzzy Izzet.

KEY MOMENTS 38 mins: Matt Elliott sees red 41 mins: Morrison gives Birmingham the lead 61 mins: Walker is dismissed 65 mins: Forssell heads Birmingham's second

Just past the hour Leicester's hopes of saving the game were lost when Walker was red-carded.

The keeper came out of his area and saw his clearance bounce off Forssell and then Thatcher back towards him and instinctively he grabbed the ball.

Savage curled the resulting free-kick just over the bar but he then set up the second Blues goal for Forssell after 65 minutes.

He sent over a right-wing cross and Forssell had time to pick his spot before heading powerfully past replacement keeper Danny Coyne.

Not the greatest advert for the Premiership, but Birmingham having lost their previous three league games, will be grateful for the win and the three points.

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Leicester: Walker, Impey, Elliott, Thatcher (Bent 72), Davidson, Scowcroft, Izzet, Scimeca, Stewart, Ferdinand (Curtis 45), Dickov (Coyne 62).
Subs not used: Hignett, Gillespie.

Sent off: Elliott (38), Walker (61).

Booked: Scowcroft, Dickov.

Birmingham: Taylor, Kenna, Cunningham, Upson, Clapham, Johnson, Savage (Cisse 72), Clemence (Lazaridis 66), Dunn, Forssell (John 83), Morrison. Subs not used: Purse, Bennett.

Booked: Johnson, Clemence.

Attendance: 30,639.

Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).