Birmingham come back to beat Wigan

Birmingham City stretched their unbeaten run in the Premier League to six games by coming from a goal behind to beat Wigan Athletic 3-2 at the DW Stadium here on Saturday.

Charles N’Zogbia’s 33rd minute curler put Wigan in front before three goals in 11 minutes after the half hour mark, two free-kicks from Sebastian Larsson separated by Christian Benitez’s effort, saw Birmingham in front.

Wigan substitute Jordi Gomez pulled a goal back with a late free-kick but it was not enough to deny the Blues all three points.

The Latics dominated the opening 45 minutes and deservedly went ahead when Jason Scotland’s cut-back found N’Zogbia and the Frenchman curled the ball high into the top corner.

By that stage Wigan had already seen goalkeeper Chris Kirkland go off with a back injury and replacement Mike Pollitt made a fine save to deny Benitez.

Birmingham though were level when Larsson’s free-kick from deep on the left evaded everyone in a crowded penalty area and somehow crept past Pollitt.

But there was no denying the quality of his second free-kick goal, a sharply curling strike from just outside the box that left Pollitt helpless.

By then Birmingham were already in front after Ecuador international Benitez latched onto Lee Bowyer’s pass, beat Titus Bramble and fired past Pollitt.

Wigan substitute Gomez’s 88th minute free-kick gave the home side hope of a draw but Birmingham held out.