Birmingham 2 Southampton 1: Birmingham halted their worst sequence of defeats in the Premiership thanks to goals from newcomers Walter Pandiani and Robbie Blake. Steve Bruce's side took a major step to guaranteeing their top-flight status for another season after dominating the opening 45 minutes.

But they were given a fright in the second half after Southampton substitute Henri Camara scored a superb goal on his debut.

The opening 45 minutes were one sided, with Birmingham, who had lost their previous four league games, in complete command from the first whistle.

But it was a different story after the break as Southampton posed more of a threat.

The catalyst to that was provided by Camara who has joined the Saints on loan from Wolves via Celtic and his superb goal meant Blues could not relax until the final whistle.

On 12 minutes Pandiani grabbed the opening goal with a powerful header from a superb Jermaine Pennant cross.

After 40 minutes the Blues deservedly doubled their lead with Blake's first goal for the club, a penalty after Mario Melchiot was brought down in the penalty area by Jamie Redknapp.

Then out of the blue Camara brought Southampton into the game with a stunning goal after 52 minutes. Peter Crouch won the ball in the air and Camara seized on it and in one movement drilled an unstoppable left-footed shot past Maik Taylor.

BIRMINGHAM: Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Cunningham, Upson, Clapham, Pennant (Carter 77), Johnson, Clemence, Gray, Blake (Morrison 90), Pandiani (Tebily 80). Subs Not Used: Vaesen, Nafti. Goals: Pandiani 12, Blake 41 pen.

SOUTHAMPTON: Niemi, Telfer, Davenport, Lundekvam, Bernard, Delap, Prutton, Redknapp, Van Damme (Anders Svensson 69), Jones (Camara 45), Crouch. Subs Not Used: Jakobsson, Smith, Higginbotham. Booked: Prutton, Bernard. Goals: Camara 52.

Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).