Blues fell to a disappointing defeat at a sun-drenched Riverside Stadium this afternoon as two first half goals from David Wheater and Stuart Downing gave Boro a cushion they rarely looked like surrendering.

Steve Bruce made just one change from the side which had grabbed Blues' first Premier League win of the season at Pride Park last Saturday as they looked to record their third consecutive victory following the midweek success against Hereford in the Carling Cup.

Sebastian Larsson replaced Gary McSheffrey who settled for a place on the bench. There was a return to Teeside for Stuart Parnaby, who received a good reception from the home crowd. One-time Blues target Mido was named in the Boro line-up.

After an enforced break of his own, referee Rob Styles got the game underway in glorious sunshine, with the home side kicking off and they were immediately on the attack with Wheater attempting to find Aliadiere with a delicate through ball.

As Boro continued to press, Parnanby was forced into desperate measures to concede a corner which Wheater clipped over the bar.

Blues won their first corner in the seventh minutes after a mis-judgement by Luke Young, and Ridgewell climbed highest to head Larsson's corner wide of the target.

Back at the other end, Mido's through ball was just too heavy for Downing to profit as Taylor came to collect. Moments later, Rochemback fired in a low drive from 30 yards which deflected for a corner.

It was a prelude to Boro taking the lead. As Blues failed to clear their lines from a corner, Andrew Taylor crossed from the left for an unmarked Wheater to power a header into the bottom corner giving Maik Taylor no chance.

Blues were on the back-foot as Jaidi conceded a free-kick 25 yards out but Downing's shot was well held by Taylor low to his left.

The winger went near again a minute later, testing Taylor again as Blues came under sustained pressure. In a brief moment of respite, Cameron Jerome volleyed well over for Blues. It was soon back to defending for Blues as Aliadiere's shot was tipped over by Taylor after a mazy run.

Blues were struggling to make any headway in the final third of the field but Jerome almost brought Blues level when latching onto a weak pass in midfield. He advanced to the edge of the area but chose to shoot when a pass to the unmarked Forssell may have been the better option. Schwarzer gathered Jerome's shot easily.

As the game passed the half hour, Ridgewell was lucky to escape a caution for pulling back Aliadiere to concede a needless. A moment later Muamba received the game's first booking after fouling Arca on the touchline.

In the 36th minute Boro went two in front, Andrew Taylor was again the provider, crossing for Boateng to nod the ball down and England man Downing had the simplest of tasks to knock the ball beyond Maik Taylor to extend the hosts lead.

Blues responded positively and Jerome made ground on the left before delivering an excellent cross which Forssell failed to meet and the ball was headed behind by Wheater for a corner.

But it was soon back at the other end, where Ridgwell defended well, conceding a corner as Aliadiere threatened. From the corner, Arca fired well over.

Half Time: Middlesbrough 2 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.

There was almost a calamity for Blues in the opening minutes of the second half as Taylor slipped when preparing to receive a Jaidi back-pass.

The big Irishman recovered in the nick of time to deny Aliadiere. Mido became the game's second booking a moment later for an off the ball altercation with Ridgewell.

Another Boro attack in the 50th minute resulted in Rdgewell slipping, as Blues players struggled to come to terms with the penalty area which had been heavily watered during the interval.

Soon after, Taylor also slipped when taking a goal kick. As Boro pressed, Rochemback flighted a ball into Blues area where Arca rose unchallenged to head just wide of the post. Then Boateng released Aliadiere whose shot was well held low down by Taylor.

Blues made a triple substitution after 56 minutes. Gary McSheffrey, Gary O'Connor and Mehdi Nafti replaced Mikael Forssell, Fabrice Muamba and Seb Larsson as Bruce attempted to change Blues' fortunes. Nafti's first involvement was to receive a booking for a foul on Mido near the half way line.

Blues were almost given a route back into the game when Kapo eluded two challenges on the half way line before advancing 20 yards and delivering a wicked left foot drive which was deflected for a corner, although referee Styles failed to spot the deflection and awarded a goal kick, much to the anger of the visiting supporters.

As play switched to the other end, Blues were at sixes as sevens as Aliadiere caused panic in the Blues area but Boro failed to find the killer touch which could have put the game beyond Bruce's men.

Moments later, Stephen Kelly cleared off his own line after a shot from Luke Young as Boro carved Blues open again. With Boro in total control, Aliadiere again tested Taylor, who made a smart save down to his right at the foot of the post.

With just over 10 minutes left, Kapo joined Muamba and Nafti in the book for a trip on Mido, Blues' third booking of the day.

As Blues tried to force their way back into the game, O'Connor rose high but failed to meet the cross, and McSheffrey tried his luck with a left foot drive which earned Blues a corner when Luke Young threw himself at the ball inside the area. The same man again shot just inches wide of a post as Blues finally rallied.

Gareth Southgate made his first change after 81 minutes, with Cattermole replacing Rochemback. The second Boro substitution followed shortly after with Aliadiere replaced by Tuncay. The final change saw Dong Gook Lee replace Mido with just three minutes remaining.

Full Time: Middlesbrough 2 Birmingham City 0

Blues: Taylor, Kelly, Ridgewell, Djourou, Jaidi, Parnaby, Larsson (McSheffrey 56), Muamba (Nafti 56), Kapo, Forssell (O'Connor 56), Jerome.
Subs (not used): Kingson, Sadler
Bookings: Muamba 33, Nafti 61, Kapo 78.

Boro: Schwartzer, Young, Woodgate, Wheater, Taylor, Boateng, Rochemback (Cattermole 81), Arca, Downing, Mido (Lee 87), Aliadiere (Tuncay 84).
Subs (not used): Jones, Hines
Bookings: Mido 48
Goals: Wheater 12, Downing 36