Birmingham midfielder Sebastian Larsson netted on his 100th Barclays Premier League appearance to help ease his side's relegation fears and drag Sunderland into the survival dogfight.

Larsson broke the deadlock shortly before half-time and then leading scorer Craig Gardner's ninth goal of the campaign wrapped up victory.

The result means City have leapfrogged over the Black Cats and increased the pressure on manager Steve Bruce, who spent six years in charge at St. Andrew's.

Larsson may be out of contract in the summer but he produced a committed and inspirational performance and left the pitch to a standing ovation with three minutes remaining.

Injury-decimated Sunderland have now managed to collect only one point from the last nine games.

There was a lack of belief about the visitors' performance after such a woeful run, while Birmingham started brightly and Cameron Jerome came close to putting them ahead after two minutes.

The former England Under-21 striker outstripped Michael Turner in running onto a through-ball from Stuart Parnaby.

But, after cutting into the area, his low shot was blocked by the feet of Simon Mignolet.

Blues midfielder Craig Gardner was first to react to the rebound but his shot was charged down.

Roger Johnson got on the end of an inswinging Sebastian Larsson corner but directed his far-post header just wide.

But a mistake by Barry Ferguson almost proved costly for City. He was dispossessed by Lee Cattermole, whose shot was blocked by Ben Foster after he had raced off his line. The ball broke into the path of Sessegnon 12 yards out and his low shot was cleared off the line by Johnson.

Danny Welbeck had his first sight of goal after 26 minutes but Gardner made a brave block as he prepared to shoot.