The former Juventus striker-cum-winger settled the issue eight minutes from half-time when he neatly turned home a cross from Sebastian Larsson. Birmingham deserved their second success of the season as Bolton remain anchored in the relegation zone after losing for the fifth time in six matches.

A near full house of 28,000 responded to a performance of full-blooded commitment and passion from the home side. City held the edge for long periods and posed the greater threat through the runs and crossing of Larsson and the pace of Cameron Jerome.

The midfield duo of Mehdi Nafti and Fabrice Muamba worked tirelessly for the 90 minutes and at the back Liam Ridgewell and Johan Djourou kept a tight rein on Nicolas Anelka.

The Totters' biggest threat was posed by El-Hadji Diouf, but he lacked sufficient support and Bolton stuttered to the sort of performance that has been all too common of late.