Bowyer strike sinks Cottagers

Lee Bowyer produced one of the rare moments of quality to earn a 1-0 victory for Birmingham and end Fulham's five-game unbeaten run in the Barclays Premier League at rainswept St Andrew's.

The former Leeds and Newcastle midfielder produced a neat finish after 16 minutes as City took their points tally to eight from the last four matches.

Fulham dominated the second period but home goalkeeper Joe Hart had only one worthwhile save to make in an instantly forgettable contest.

The first reasonable opportunity fell to Fulham striker Bobby Zamora who cut in from the right flank virtually unopposed but his left-footed shot flew well wide of the far post.

Birmingham threatened for the first time when James McFadden's left wing centre picked out Cameron Jerome but his header flew straight at Mark Schwarzer.

Then after 16 minutes City's leading scorer Bowyer put the home side in front with his fourth goal of the campaign. McFadden was the creator with a deft pass over the top of the Fulham defence.

Bowyer timed his run perfectly to stay just onside before cleverly hooking his shot over the advancing Schwarzer into the corner of the net.

Fulham tried to respond and Zoltan Gera had a long range effort deflected for a corner and Birmingham centre-back Scott Dann blocked a powerful shot at close range from Paul Konchesky.

Dann's back four colleague Roger Johnson also flung himself at full stretch to get in the way of a drive from Gera just inside the box. In a rare Birmingham attack, Schwarzer tipped away a testing cross from the impressive McFadden at full stretch with Jerome waiting to pounce.

City keeper Hart was called upon to make his first meaningful save after 70 minutes when he tipped over a powerful header from Fulham striker Clint Dempsey from a Stephen Kelly centre.