Jude Bellingham proved Birmingham’s fortunate omen in a powerful win over Studying however it was a participant on the the alternative finish of the expertise scale who stole the present.
The England celebrity was readily available to say farewell to his beloved boyhood membership, two years after he left them for Borussia Dortmund and England stardom.
And {the teenager} noticed veteran Troy Deeney, making his 600th look in skilled soccer, on the centre of a blistering show from the Blues, who killed the sport off with three targets within the opening 36 minutes.
Troy Deeney opened the scoring for Birmingham earlier than including a second on 23 minutes
All three targets, beginning with Deeney’s opener in spite of everything of 63 seconds, have been the results of horrible defensive slips from Paul Ince’s guests.
Juninho Bacuna’s curling cross was flicked into the` space by Studying’s Mamadou Loum and Deaney took a deft controlling contact earlier than burying the one hundred and seventy fifth purpose of his profession.
That set the tone for a rampant first half and former Walsall and Watford striker Deeney didn’t have lengthy to attend for purpose quantity 176.
The ahead put in a superb first half show of highly effective centre-forward play in opposition to Studying
Jude Bellingham made triumphant return to St Andrews after a robust World Cup with England
After 23 minutes, Deeney performed a tidy one-two with Tahith Chong, obtained his back-heel and was promptly introduced down by the lunging Naby Sarr.
The 34-year-old Metropolis striker made no mistake from the spot, with a thumping right-foot strike into the underside nook from the ensuing penalty.
Birmingham had solely scored three targets on two events this season however hit that mark properly earlier than the interval after Studying produced their sloppiest piece of defending but.
On-loan Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri pumped a fast however hopeful free-kick ahead, catching Studying’s again three unawares.
Amadou Mbengue swung his boot in useless however Chong was within the clear to spherical Joe Lumley and convert into the far nook.
Ince’s aspect, in search of a win to elevate them into the play-off locations, not less than pressured residence keeper John Ruddy into three good first half saves; from Andy Yiadom, Yakou Meite and supervisor’s son Tom.
Tahith Chong’s purpose 10 minutes earlier than the interval ensured Birmingham Metropolis of all three factors
However the second half began with Deeney nearly claiming his first hat-trick in eight years when his effort was cleared off the road by Tom McIntyre.
There was additionally one other likelihood for Chong, which was turned across the put up properly by Lumley, and Deeney missed an additional good opening, with a sliced seventieth minute shot.
A profitable evening for Metropolis and their well-known fan continued with Bellingham watching his 17-year-old brother Jobe come on as a 76th minute sub.
However Studying not less than claimed a few late consolations.
After 82 minutes, Andy Carroll’s shot was blocked by Rudd and fellow sub Lucas Joao headed the rebound over the road.
And within the final of the 5 added minutes, Ince junior was rewarded for a full of life show when his well-hit low effort flew into the far nook of Ruddy’s purpose.
