Early Bowyer goal seals the points for Birmingham in Black Country derby

Birmingham moved to mid-table security in the Premier League after a narrow 1-0 win at Wolves.

Lee Bowyer's early strike after 3 minutes proved decisive as the Blues deservedly won at local rivals Molineux.

It could have been more, with Bowyer, Cameron Jerome and Sebastian Larsson forcing fine saves.

Wolves came close through Matt Jarvis's snap-shot, but they rarely looked like ending a winless run of nine matches.

It is the first time Birmingham have recorded back-to-back Premier League victories since 2004, and is the perfect way to mark Alex McLeish's two-year anniversary as Blues boss.

"I thought we played well, we showed a lot of composure. We knew they would come after us like wounded animals after some recent results," McLeish told Sky Sports.

"This is a massive win for us, fantastic spirit again the players showed. We played very well in the first half and maybe could have added to our tally.

"Second half we knew Wolves would come at us even more and only the real disappointment I suppose from our point of view was that we didn't put it beyond them as we had some great moments in the game.

"The key for us was not to sit back and wait for an onslaught, from the goalkeeper right through we had magnificent performers."

McLeish was particularly pleased with goal-scoring hero Lee Bowyer.

"Five goals in the Premier League from a midfielder is unbelievable and I take my hat off to Lee. He has been magnificent for us, truly magnificent," he said.

"Every game, expectations grow - with a victory people expect more and the lads keep delivering and they know to be successful in any league you have to win and be consistent game after game and we have put a good run together now. They all want to win," he concluded.