Liam Ridgewell and James McFadden doubled Birmingham's Barclays Premier League goals tally at St Andrew's as Steve Bruce's Sunderland left empty-handed after a 2-1 defeat.

Ridgewell put the home side ahead eight minutes before the break and McFadden doubled his side's advantage within three minutes of the restart as the Black Cats were well beaten.

The visitors briefly gave themselves hope when defender Scott Dann could only help Michael Turner's header into his own net with eight minutes remaining and substitute Fraizer Campbell and Darren Bent might have snatched a point in a rousing finish.

It took a last-ditch block from Turner to stop McFadden converting Christian Benitez's 27th-minute return pass and Craig Gordon had to distinguish himself with a fine save from Benitez at his near post seconds later.

Birmingham were in front when Ridgewell got the decisive touch to Sebastian Larsson's swinging free-kick to divert the ball into the net, although he looked to do so from an offside position.

Benitez went close from long range once again with 44 minutes gone.

City extended their lead soon after the break. Larsson's cross was slightly behind Cameron Jerome, but he cleverly flicked it into McFadden's path. The Scot stepped inside wrong-footed full-back Phil Bardsley and steadied himself before passing the ball past Gordon and into the net - despite Turner's desperate attempt to clear off the line.

After 64 minutes, Benitez's shot crept inside just outside the post after clipping Bardsley's heels.

Sunderland stirred as the game entered the closing stages and got their reward with eight minutes left when Dann could only help Turner's glancing header into his own net.

Campbell might have snatched a point when he climbed to meet Andy Reid's 84th-minute cross but headed high over, and Bent went even closer with an 89th-minute volley which shaved the post.