Birmingham City 3-0 Watford

CURTIES DAVIES marked his 250th career appearance was a two-goal salvo to sink Watford at St Andrews.

The former Luton Town centre-half grabbed an uncontested header in each half to hand the Blues a comfortable victory.

Sean Dyche jigged the starting XI to include the returning Jonathan Hogg ahead of Craig Forsyth who was benched. The Hornets set up with Hogg screening the back four and John Eustace partnering Prince Buaben ahead of him. Troy Deeney started out wide.

Birmingham made three changes from their F.A Cup 3rd round replay, bringing in Chris Burke, Keith Fahey and Marlon King for Nathan Redmond, Wade Elliott and Adam Rooney.

Following a positive start from Dyche`s side, Marvin Sordell was unlucky not to have more support when he received Hogg`s pass into the Blues penalty area whilst Mark Yeates saw a 20-yard drive go wide.

Birmingham had their first decent chance just after the quarter hour mark when Burke`s cross looked to be looping in. An alert Scott Loach palmed away before King fluffed his lines and the Hornets cleared.

Ten minutes before the break, Chris Hughton`s side took the lead. Jordon Mutch came close with a point-blank range header which won the hosts a corner. The set-piece wasn`t properly cleared and Davies was able to meet Keith Fahey`s cross at the back-post and nod his side into the lead.

Half-time: 1-0

Watford registered their first effort on target six minutes into the second period when Deeney shot on the run from 25 yard, Boaz Myhill palming away at a stretch.

With 60 minutes played, Birmingham bagged a second through Davies who was once again free at the far-post to plant a fine header back over Loach.

Burke secured victory with nine minutes to go, drilling home from the edge of the box after Loach failed to deal with a corner.

Full-time: 3-0

It`s by no means a disgrace to lose to a side relegated from the Premier League and most realists would expect to. But, the simple fact of the matter is that we have scored nine away goals this season. We need attack-minded, creative players. A winger is a must Mr Dyche, not 'something we`re looking at`.

Birmingham City: Myhill; Spector, Davies, Caldwell (c), Murphy; Burke, Fahey, Mutch, Beausejour (Redmond); King (Rooney) & Zigic (Elliott).

Subs not used: Doyle (GK) & Gomes.

Watford: Loach; Hodson, Nosworthy, Mariappa, Dickinson; Deeney, Eustace (c), Hogg (Jenkins), Yeates; Buaben (Iwelumo); Sordell.

Subs not used: Bond (GK), Doyley, Jenkins & Forsyth.

Attendance: 16 681

Referee: Mr T Kettle.

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