Birmingham City stunned Crystal Palace on Good Friday by beating the promotion hunters 4-0 on their own turf.
Birmingham, who have now won their last three games, consigned Ian Holloway’s men to their first home defeat since August.
Nathan Redmond, who was a constant threat to the Palace rearguard all game, opened the scoring with a low drive on 24 minutes. Damien Delaney headed into his own net from a corner minutes later and, in the second half, Ravel Morrison scored his second goal for Birmingham to make it 3-0. Shane Ferguson sealed the win with a delightful free-kick late on.
Crystal Palace were without the suspended Wilfried Zaha and missed his pace and power on the flanks.
Redmond beat two defenders before drilling in the opener from the edge of the box for the visitors.
After Morrison had seen a header turned wide by the Palace goalkeeper, Delaney headed in the resultant corner into his own goal, under pressure by Nikola Zigic.
The hosts first threatened the Birmingham goal in the early minutes of the second half. Substitute Stephen Dobbie had an effort saved by Jack Butland from the edge of the box.
Birmingham remained a threat on the break. Shane Ferguson combined with Mitch Hancox, who squared a low cross for Morrison. The midfielder’s low, controlled finish beat Julian Speroni to extend Birmingham’s lead.
Ferguson curled an exquisite free-kick past the goalkeeper to seal the rout on 69 minutes. The man on loan from Newcastle celebrated his first goal for Birmingham.
Birmingham are now seven points off the relegation zone while Crystal Palace lie six points off the automatic promotion spots.
Source: DSG
