Premiership: Birmingham City 5 - 0 Portsmouth

What price Premiership salvation? On this evidence, a free transfer is worth significantly more than an £11million Russian makeover. Birmingham’s Chris Sutton, who arrived from Celtic for nothing more than a few months’ wages, slotted into his new surroundings with such positive effect he brought out the best of the players around him. While Steve Bruce purred, Harry Redknapp grrrred. There was not a lot of positive he could show Sasha Gaydamak in return for his investment. So much for a relegation dogfight. After taking a fifth-minute lead, Birmingham were rarely under any real pressure. There was no tension in the Midlands air. No threat. Portsmouth allowed this to be the most enjoyable home game the Blues have managed all season.

Bruce always maintained the story of this troublesome campaign would alter when the injuries began to ease, and Birmingham duly played with more stability, confidence, and style.

Pleasing as it is to have the big boys back for the battle ahead, Sutton’s presence looks like it might be the biggest bonus of all. Birmingham were hoping Sutton would provide the ‘Christophe Dugarry effect’. Such was the intelligence and maturity of his link-up play, he may well do.

If relegation six-pointers are supposed to be about scrapes and scares, the first one came right at the start, when Benjani Mwaruwari found himself one on one against Maik Taylor. The Brummie crowd winced. But the Zimbabwean striker did too and a golden chance evaporated.

Birmingham responded to the early warning in perfect fashion. Breaking up the right through Jermaine Pennant and Mario Melchiot, the Dutch right-back looped a tantalizing cross towards the far post. Unfortunately for Pompey Jamie Ashdown was also tantalized - the goalkeeper dashing out and missing the ball completely. Jiri Jarosik nodded emphatically into the unguarded net.

With that the Czech Republic midfielder, who is on loan from Chelsea, wracked up his seventh goal of the campaign. The top scorer at St Andrew’s, he has been excellent value for the club.

Sutton also brought critical touches to the Birmingham cause and but for Ashdown’s clawing save, he would have opened his account in the 20th minute as he swept in Heskey’s pass.

Sutton’s bulk up front gave Birmingham a focal point they have lacked all season. Which looks just as well, considering the defensive vulnerability they have shown for much of it. Despite the scoreline, they were not without their problems as Benjani and Vincent Pericard proved a handful. Gary O’Neil’s intelligent prompts provided decent back-up and one off his shrewd passes encouraged Matthew Taylor to thump a volley from long range which was not far away at all. Benjani’s next effort, however, was. From five yards he belted the ball skywards.

Again, Birmingham reacted to a fright impressively. They gave themselves a half-time cushion with a superbly worked goal. Sutton expertly dummied Heskey’s header, leaving Pennant to dance into space and stab the ball home.

What would Harry say during the break? At a club with six new faces on the playing staff, a new manager, and a new co-owner all turning up in a manic few weeks, how easy is it to suddenly generate the all-for-one mentality essential in a relegation struggle?

Whatever he tried, it patently didn’t work, as Pompey collapsed completely in the second half.

Birmingham stretched their lead when Matthew Upson met Pennant’s corner with a meaty header. The team with the worst defensive record away from home in the league were exposed again with two late goals from substitutes.

Forssell’s 90th-minute penalty and David Dunn’s crisp drive did wonders for Birmingham’s morale. Good luck to Harry lifting Portsmouth’s.

Man of the Match: Chris Sutton

There were half-a-dozen contenders from Birmingham for man of the match - Melchiot, Izzet, Jarosik, Pennant, Heskey and Sutton all impressed. Birmingham could not have been more satisfied with the new boy’s home debut. His leadership qualities from the front provided what they have cried out for all season.