Rovers run riot in Birmingham

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Birmingham 0-4 Blackburn

Blackburn ended their dismal run of five straight defeats away from home with victory over Birmingham in a fiery encounter at St Andrews.

Scotland captain Barry Ferguson grabbed his first Premiership goal since his switch from Rangers to set Rovers on their way in the 66th minute.

Lucas Neill added the second just two minutes later, Tugay made sure of a vital three points with a superb piledriver before Paul Gallagher added a fourth.

Birmingham's misery was compounded as Christophe Dugarry was shown a red-card for two bookable offences.

Blackburn had started brightly, finding the first opening thanks to some good build-up play from midfield.

Brett Emerton lofted the ball over the top of the Birmingham defence but Dwight Yorke just failed to make contact.

The former England international should have done better as goalkeeper Maik Taylor, back after a bout of flu, found himself stranded in no-man's land.

Steve Bruce's men immediately followed suit, failing to take advantage of a defensive mix-up at the other end.

KEY MOMENTS 5 mins: Laziridis header skims over the top of the bar 21 mins: Dugarry misses another chance with an off-target header 66 min: Ferguson strike gives Blackburn the lead 68min: Neill makes it 2-0 with a rising shot 82min: Tugay's superb long-range effort sees Rovers go 3-0 ahead 88min: Young Scot Gallagher seals the points with another strike

Rovers' stopper Brad Friedel and Markus Babblel stood watching as the ball bobbled around in the penalty area from right-back Jeff Kenna's pass.

Stan Laziridis rushed in from the left to try and seize advantage but his header drifted over the bar.

Graeme Souness vented his frustration from the sidelines again as the chances began to dry up for his side.

To make matters worse for the Scot, Craig Short needed treatment after receiving a knock in the mouth from Christophe Dugarry.

The striker escaped punishment from referee Graham Barber and was fortunate again after a clumsy tackle on Vratislav Gresko.

The home side gradually began to dominate the game as midfielders David Dunn and Robbie Savage combined well to spearhead the attack.

Dugarry sent a header sailing over the bar from a yard out - though he was off-side - before missing an easy tap-in from a Savage corner.

Short and Dugarry continued their running battle - Barber had already had to have a word with both players after the Frenchman was floored by the Rovers defender.

Short (left) and Dugarry were engaged in a tetchy battle at St Andrews

Birmingham piled on the pressure after the restart but it was Rovers' decision to replace Yorke with Andy Cole that proved to be the turning point.

The former Manchester United striker put through Ferguson who dissected the Birmingham defence and drove the ball past Taylor.

Cole set up Rovers' second two minutes later when his headed cross was met by Neill, who finished the move with a clinical left-footed shot into the roof of the net.

The visiting fans were given further cheer when Dugarry was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow for a challenge on Andy Todd.

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Turkish international Tugay doubled their joy in the 82nd minute when he rattled home a superb strike from 25 yards.

Six minutes Gallagher was rewarded for his endeavour in the Rovers midfield as the Scottish Under-21 star's close-range effort made it four - his first goal at senior level.

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Birmingham: Taylor, Kenna (Cisse 79), Cunningham, Tebily, Clapham, Johnson, Savage (Clemence 83), Dunn, Lazaridis (Morrison 73), Forssell, Dugarry.
Subs not used: Bennett, John.
Sent off: Dugarry (72).
Booked: Dugarry.

Blackburn: Friedel, Babbel, Short, Todd, Gresko, Neill, Tugay, Ferguson, Emerton, Gallagher, Yorke (Cole 59).
Subs not used: Enckelman, Reid, Jansen, Baggio.
Booked: Emerton.

Attendance: 29,354.

Referee: G Barber (Hertfordshire).