West Ham have now equalised against Aston Villa, just to rub salt into the wound for Blackburn who know that they will no longer play European football next season.

All three sides fighting against the drop are winning today, but unfortunately two of them will not play a part in next seasons Premiership campaign.

A ball is threaded through for Emerton who looks to get onto the end of it, but Taylor is quick off his line to smother the ball.

Bentley takes a defender and flashes a shot across goal, forcing a decent save out of Taylor.

The game has again become subdued and both sides seem to have given up hope, with most players' body language becoming weary.

Liam Ridgewell brings down Jason Roberts and the striker was clear through on goal. The Rovers fans call for the red card, but Howard Webb only produces the yellow one on this occasion.

It is too little too late for City, but the goal almost certainly ruins Rovers' hopes of Europe.

Cameron Jerome puts in his contender for miss of the season as he scoops the ball over an empty goal from close range.

Reading are now three goals up against Derby County and it seems there is no way that Birmingham can avoid the drop now.

Damien Johnson makes way for Medhi Nafti

Brett emmerton goes down under a challenge looking for a penalty but referee Howard Webb waves play on.

Hughes looked set to make it a triple substitution with Benni McCarthy stripped of his tracksuit but the manager appeared to change his mind at the last minute.

Both sets of fans have gone rather quite now leaving the atmosphere a little subdued, but Mark Hughes looks to his subs bench in order to put some inspiration onto the pitch.

Bad news comes through for both these sides - Aston Villa have taken the lead at Upton Park while Reading have doubled their tally against Derby.

Pedersen picks out Santa Cruz six-yards out with a pinpoint cross but the striker makes a mess of the opportunity, heading the ball over the bar.

Larsson hits a shot goal-wards but it is straight down the throat of Friedel.

Kapo hits a fierce shot from difference and Fridel can't get anywhere near it, but is grateful to see the ball fly past the post.

That goal changes everything as Blackburn have now restored their hopes of European football, but it is bad news for Birmingham.

Larsson tries his luck from a free-kick but he fails to trouble Friedel.

No other scores have come through and it is a wonder what the Birmingham fans are dancing about, but their side are winning and they can do nothing more than that.

The Birmingham fans have lightened up and there seems to be some good news spreading around the stadium - the ideal situation of course would be a Derby equaliser.

Stephen Kelly saves Birmingham and Maik Taylor as he clears a Blackburn cross of the line.

Birmingham have a lifeline now but will need to hope that Derby can pull a goal back against Reading.

Kapo strikes a curling shot from just outside the box and forces a fine save out of Friedel who tips the ball around the post..

Rovers are furious with the referee, as he was still talking to the players who were forming the wall when the free-kick was taken.

Pedersen fouls Fabrice Muamba and City have a free-kick in a decent position.

Sebastian Larsson puts a good delivery into the box after a well-worked move and Kapo heads the ball wide from 8-yards out.

There is not much to talk about as we pass the halfway mark of the opening 45 minutes and neither keeper has had much to do, the best chance falling to Zarate inside three minutes.

Bentley gets into a decent position and looks to get a cross into the bo but his delivery is surprisingly poor.

Johann Vogel picks up the ball and starts a good move for Blackburn that results in a long range Stephen Warnock shot sailing over the crossbar.

More news has come from around the country and Aston Villa have equalised at West Ham while Reading have taken the lead at Derby, which is bad news for Birmingham.

It has all gone a little quiet in St. Andrews, including the football, and neither side has yet got a foothold in the game.

The news from Upton Park is that West Ham have taken the lead against Aston Villa, which is good news for Blackburn if they too can find the net.

David Bentley hits a shot from distance but it is blocked by Liam Ridgewell on the edge of the penalty area.

Morten Gamst Pedersen cuts inside and picks out Roque Santa Cruz with a cross. but the Paraguayan''s shot is well saved by Maik Taylor.

Jason Roberts upends Radhi Jaidi but Howard Webb keeps the cards in his pocket on this occasion.

Mauro Zarate plays a neat one-two with Olivier Kapo before blazing a shot wide of the target - a decent opportunity for the loan striker.

The home faithful are making plenty of noise in these opening stages and are testing the resolve of the Blackburn players.