SEVEN points taken from the last nine available, including back to back St Andrew’s wins, and all of a sudden the prospects are a lot healthier for Blues.

The spectre of relegation from the Premier League has not yet been eradicated completely.

Away trips to Chelsea and Liverpool this week should focus minds in that respect.

But Blues have a manner about them now that suggests they’ve rediscovered a formula that works when the requirements are needs must.

They had a slice of good fortune that helped them on their way with Sebastian Larsson’s goal.

And Blues have created more clear openings in other games that they have lost this season.

But at this stage, with the division so crunched up, and the tension so great, it ain’t how you do it, it’s what you do.

Blues needed to beat Bolton Wanderers at home off the back of the potentially demoralising defeat at Wigan Athletic, which they did; then more fibre was needed at the war zone that was Blackburn Rovers, which was forthcoming.

Sunderland are in a hellish run of form – it’s now eight defeats and just a draw from nine games – but they weren’t the duffers many might have expected at St Andrew’s.

Despite missing an array of players (and let’s not forget Blues cannot call upon some significant performers), they played well and on another afternoon might have earned a better reward.

But Blues, well, the line-up at present is bristling with strong characters and determined souls who know their limitations, know their roles and, above all, know what’s required to get the job done.

Interestingly, the starting XI contained more British and Irish players than any fielded by a top-flight club elsewhere at the weekend, with the exception of Blackpool.