Steve Bruce's men went down to their third successive Premiership defeat at the hands of Sven Goran Eriksson's Manchester City at Eastlands this afternoon.

Blues fell behind to a hotly-disputed goal shortly before the interval, as Fabrice Muamba appeared to be fouled in the lead up to Elano's left footed strike and despite dominating possession in the second half, the visitors were unable to unlock the home defence and find a way back into the game.

Bruce made a couple of enforced changes in personnel from the side which had gone down narrowly to Blackburn prior to the two-week international break, as Blues sought to record their first Premiership victory in over a month against high-flying Manchester City.

Walter Palacios and Rafael Schmitz were handed a start, with Johan Djourou and Sebastian Larsson left out due to injuries. Gary McSheffrey and Muamba both made their 50th start for Blues, with the former looking for his first goal since February.

It was Blues who got the game underway backed by a small but vociferous band of travelling supporters and there was controversy in the fourth minute as goalkeeper Hart seemed unsure of whether to pick up a back pass.

Referee Dean gave the keeper no indication until the keeper had handled the ball and then gave Blues a free kick just eight yards out. Kapo tapped the ball back to Jerome on the edge of the area and his powerful shot took a deflection at the expense of a corner.

It had been a confident start by Blues, who were knocking the ball around well in the early stages.

Blues' first scare at the other end came as Petrov showed electrifying pace to latch onto Elano's through ball and almost give City the lead, but for a great tackle from Stephen Kelly.

Elano showed great skill minutes later to dribble past two Blues players before Nafti stopped him to concede a free kick 25 yards out.

The Brazilian took the free kick which was deflected behind. The resultant corner caused mayhem in Blues' area as Richards mis-kicked just six yards out.

Corluka rolled the ball across the six yard box and Kelly somehow managed to deflect the ball over Taylor's bar, possibly with the use of an arm.

At the other end, Blues broke quickly, with Kapo and Jerome setting up McSheffrey who curled a shot goalwards which was easily gathered by Hart. Soon after, Kapo's trickery won Blues a corner on the left which came to nothing as Hart collected easily.

The game had gone into a quiet period, with neither side looking particularly threatening, although McSheffrey had an opportunity to create an opening just after the half hour but his cross into the box lacked quality.

At the other end, Petrov's in-swinging free kick was headed over by Richard Dunne. Play switched immediately to the other end, where Dunne tried to block Jerome's left foot shot but injured himself in the process and required treatment before continuing.

The home side took the lead eight minutes before the interval, with a goal tinged with controversy. Muamba was dis-possessed by Johnson, with Blues adamant that a foul had been committed. The ball fell to Ireland, who slipped it to Corluka.

The Croatian slid the ball across the penalty area where Elano who took a touch before stroking the ball into the corner of the net beyond Taylor's grasp.

Steve Bruce's remonstrations with the fourth official summed up Blues' frustration at the award.

Blues responded well to the setback, with Kapo weaving his way into the City area before forcing Hart into a fine save.

Blues had one final chance to level the scores before the interval, as McSheffrey's free kick was palmed away by Hart.

There was more concern for Blues soon after, as Ridgewell went down following a clash of heads with Mpenza. The captain looked a little dazed as he left the field.

Half Time: Man City 1 Birmingham City 0

There were no changes for Blues as the teams re-appeared for the second half, and the home side too remained unchanged and City got the second period underway and Petrov tried to bring a spectacular start to the second half with an ambitious volley which failed to trouble Taylor.

Blues responded with Jerome forcing Richards into a corner, which Schmitz headed over. Meanwhile Petrov's corner almost led to City doubling their advantage as Kelly cleared from under his own crossbar.

Blues were struggling to create anything meaningful since the interval, but Hamman's trip on Kapo led to a free kick in a dangerous position, but McSheffrey's delivery was again short on quality and Hart collected with ease.

McSheffrey was then involved at the other end, hauling back Corluka. Soon after, Bruce made his first substitution with McSheffrey replaced by Daniel de Ridder.

The Dutchman was immediately involved, swinging over a delightful cross, but Blues had no-one in the middle to apply the finishing touch.

De Ridder's next contribution was a well taken free-kick which had the home defence at sixes and sevens but the ball just failed to fall for Blues in the area and the chance was gone.

The home side made their first change after 65 minutes, as Mpenza was taken off to be replaced by Samaras.

The sub was quickly involved, setting up Elano who fired well over. Palacios became the game's first booking midway though the second half, for diving in the area in an attempt to win Blues a penalty.

It was close to being 2-0 after 70 minutes, as Petrov fed Elano whose shot went inches wide of the upright.

Blues were almost level with just over 15 minutes left, as they produced their best move of the game.

Palacios did brilliantly to release Kapo who squared across the area for Muamba who blasted a shot which cannoned off the keeper who knew nothing about the save.

Blues made their second substitution with 13 minutes remaining, with Garry O'Connor coming on for Mehdi Nafti.

Corluka became the game's second caution with 12 minutes left for a crude tackle on Jerome. From the free kick, Blues came within inches of an equaliser, as Hart dropped the ball and Schmitz chipped goalwards only for Richards to head off the line.

Eriksson made his second change in the 80th minute as Ireland went off to be replaced by Michael Ball.

Blues were pressing hard for an equaliser and Queudrue almost supplied it as he curled a free kick just over and Kapo's powerful drive was close moments after. As the home side began to look rattled, Garrido joined Corluka in the book for a poor challenge on Schmitz.

Blues were well on top in the final stages and Corluka defended brilliantly to deny O'Connor as the Scot unleashed a powerful volley.

With three minutes remaining, Danns replaced Schmitz as Bruce made his final change. Seconds later Johnson was booked for a lunge on de Ridder.

The home side's final change came with a minute left, with Fernandes replacing goalscorer Elano as they sought to safely see out the game.

Full Time: Man City 1 Birmingham City 0

Man City: Hart, Corluka, Dunne, Richards, Garrido, Ireland (Ball 80), Hamman, Johnson, Petrov, Mpenza(Samaras 65), Elano (Fernandes 89)
Subs (not used): Isaksson, Geovanni
Bookings: Corluka 78, Garrido 84, Johnson 87
Goals: Elano 37

Blues: Taylor, Kelly, Ridgewell, Schmitz (Danns 89), Queudrue, Palacios, Muamba, Nafti (O'Connor 77), McSheffrey (De Ridder 58), Kapo, Jerome.
Subs (not used): Kingson, Sadler
Bookings: Palacios 67

Attendance: 45,688