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.
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