Goals from Gabriel Sara and Jonathan Rowe secured three points for the Canaries, who were victorious for the first time in four outings.
The hosts dominated a first half containing few chances. Adam Idah came closest to breaking the deadlock when his firmly-struck effort whistled past the post, before Dimitris Giannoulis’ lob dropped just wide.
Oliver Burke had the Blues’ best chance when Tom Stansfield cut back for him, but missed his kick from 15 yards out.
Jay Stansfield then had the best chance of the game when he went through on goal in the 52nd minute, but Angus Gunn denied him with a fine close-range save.
It was Norwich who opened the scoring just three minutes later, however, Sara timing his run perfectly to nod Giannoulis’ cross past John Ruddy.
They doubled the lead five minutes after that, Rowe driving a trademark finish home with his left foot after cutting inside from the right.
Koji Miyoshi came close to bringing Birmingham back into the game when he struck the bar midway through the second period, but the Norfolk side quickly re-established their dominance.
There were chances for Hwang Ui-Jo to extend the lead as the game wore on, but City secured a valuable and much-needed 2-0 victory to please their home fans once again.
NORWICH CITY:
Substitutes:
12. Long (GK)
7. Sainz (on for Rowe, 90+1)
8. Gibbs
15. McCallum
21. Batth (on for Sara, 90+1)
25. Hernandez (on for Fassnacht, 57)
29. Forshaw (on for Idah, 67)
31. Hwang (on for Placheta, 57)
35. Fisher
Head Coach: David Wagner
Bookings: Sara (65)
Goals: Sara (55), Rowe (60)
BIRMINGHAM CITY:
Substitutes:
1. Etheridge (GK)
4. Roberts
7. Bacuna (on for Sunjic, 59)
10. Jutkiewicz (on for Hogan, 74)
17. Dembele (on for Burke, 59)
19. James (on for Bielik, 79)
20. Gardner (on for Miyoshi, 79)
27. Khela
44. Aiwu
Manager: John Eustace
Bookings: Long (83)
Goals:
KEY MOMENTS
16 – McLean finds Rowe who drives forward and passes to Idah. The Irishman strikes his shot well, but it flies just wide of the right-hand post.
20 – Giannoulis intercepts Drameh’s effort and his attempt to lob Ruddy drops just wide of the near post.
27 – Stanfield’s low cross finds Burke, who somehow misses his kick from 15 yards out.
30 – Fassnacht’s cross finds Idah to flick goalward, but Ruddy saves and holds.
33 – Sara’s diagonal finds Giannoulis, who chests down and half-volleys well over.
40 – Fassnacht finds space on the edge of the box, but tamely curls straight at Ruddy.
41 – Stacey’s shot from the corner of the box is deflected wide.
42 – Sara’s corner is flicked on by Idah, but Placheta can’t reach what would be a tap-in.
Half time – Norwich City 0-0 Birmingham City
52 – Stansfield goes through on goal with only Gunn to beat, but the Norwich stopper denies him well.
53 – Stansfield has another chance from inside the box, but drives into the side netting.
55 – GOAL NORWICH (Sara): Giannoulis finds space out wide and crosses for Sara, whose perfectly-timed run ends with a firm header beyond Ruddy.
60 – GOAL NORWICH (Rowe): Rowe cuts in off the right and finds space, firing home with his left foot.
62 – Idah drives forward and cuts in, curling just over.
69 – Miyoshi twists and turns and fires a shot goalward, but it crashes off the bar and away.
74 – Rowe breaks forward and lays off for Hwang, who lifts his left-footed shot well over the bar.
Full time – Norwich City 2-0 Birmingham City
PLAYER RATINGS
Gunn 7, Stacey 7, Duffy 7, Gibson 8, Giannoulis 9, McLean 8, Sara 8, Fassnacht 5, Placheta 5, Rowe 7, Idah 7. Subs: Hernandez 6, Hwang 6, Forshaw 5, Sainz 5, Batth 5.
MATCH STATISTICS
Possession: 59pc-41pc
Shots: 16-9
On target: 4-1
Corners: 4-4
Fouls: 9-9
Added time: 2 mins/5 mins
ATTENDANCE: 26,231 (1,746 Birmingham)
REFEREE: Gavin Ward
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