H-T: Birmingham 1-0 Sunderland

Defender Liam Ridgewell dented Sunderland's charge up the Barclays Premier League table as he handed Birmingham a half-time lead.

Ridgewell bundled home Sebastian Larsson's 37th-minute free-kick from what looked like an offside position, but the flag failed to come to the visitors' rescue.

It was little more than City deserved as they dominated the half, with Black Cats goalkeeper Craig Gordon earlier making a fine save from Christian Benitez.

New City chairman Vico Hui launched a new era at St Andrews, briefly addressing the home fans from the pitch shortly before kick-off, but there was warm applause for Bruce from the locals as he headed for the dug-out.

Home keeper Joe Hart had a let off when he came for, but missed, Andy Reid's wind-assisted third-minute corner, although no Sunderland player was able to capitalise.

There was an anxious moment for Black Cats keeper Craig Gordon with nine minutes gone when Anton Ferdinand attempted to shepherd the ball back to him and the Scot took a heavy touch and needed to re-adjust quickly to clear as Benitez prepared to pounce.

Gordon was called upon to make the first save seconds later when Benitez set up James McFadden 20 yards out, although the keeper easily saved his curling left-foot effort.

Michael Turner was a relieved man after he completely miskicked as he attempted to clear Liam Ridgewell's 12th-minute cross and the ball hit Cameron Jerome before he could react.

Birmingham's front two combined three minutes later for Benitez to skip past Turner, but his shot from a tight angle was high and wide.

Roger Johnson was unable to direct a 21st-minute Sebastien Larsson corner at goal after meeting it with his head with the home side starting to get on top.

Johnson found his way into referee Martin Atkinson's notebook three minutes later after launching into a dreadful tackle on Reid, which thankfully for both men, did not land with as much impact as it might have.

Birmingham were building up a real head of steam and might have taken the lead three times in as many minutes.

First, Jerome cut inside Turner from the left and fired in a firm shot which Gordon got his body behind to claim in some comfort.

However, the goalkeeper needed Turner's help when - after McFadden had found Benitez out wide with 27 minutes gone - he then made ground to receive the return pass only to see his close-range effort deflected over by the defender.

Gordon was exposed once again seconds later when Benitez blasted in a low drive on the turn - and the Scotland international produced a fine save at his near post.

The visitors were struggling to make it out of their own half, with front men Jones and Darren Bent isolated and wingers Reid and Steed Malbranque seeing little of the ball.

Benitez was proving a real handful for the Sunderland defence as he repeatedly took up a wide position and then attacked the box at pace.

But it was defender Liam Ridgewell who finally made the breakthrough eight minutes before half-time.

He managed to get on the end of Sebastian Larsson's curling free-kick and bundle it over the line, although there was more than a hint of offside about the goal.

The Black Cats belatedly produced their first real effort on goal three minutes later, but Reid's left-foot strike flew well wide - and Benitez went close once again from distance as time ran down.

Birmingham v Sunderland LIVE text commentary, pictures and stats from the second half