Birmingham City, inspired by a non-stop performance from Welsh international Robbie Savage, bounced back to form with a conclusive success over the Carling Cup winners, Middlesbrough.
It was also a memorable match for Birmingham's £1.5million signing Martin Taylor from Blackburn, who marked his first start with his first goal for the Midlands club.
But it was the high-profile performance of Savage which enabled Birmingham to win and move into seventh place. Savage, who recently treated himself to a £200,000 Bentley, capped his best display for weeks with Birmingham's second-half goal.
It was a hugely satisfactory result for Birmingham following their disappointing FA Cup exit at the hands of Sunderland.
Middlesbrough, were without the talented services of Juninho and the North East club struggled to gain control against a Birmingham side which played with more commitment than of late and finished with ten men after Boudewijn Zenden was sent off in the 86th minute.
The strength of the Boro side was produced by the former Aston Villa trio of George Boateng, Ugo Ehiogu and skipper Gareth Southgate but they were kept at full stretch by an eager Birmingham side that atoned for their FA Cup exit.
An early indication of this positive approach came early in the first half when Birmingham opened up the Boro defence which ended in Clinton Morrison smashing his shot into the sidenetting following a low through ball from the industrious Savage.
Savage then collected a booking when he clashed with Danny Mills near the corner flag on the far side of the pitch when the England defender also picked up a yellow card following a late tackle by the Birmingham player.
But the enthusiasm of Savage could not be quelled and this was highlighted when Birmingham took a 23rd minute lead. He had to retrieve the ball but then took a quick free-kick to Bryan Hughes.
Another first-time low ball into the middle found Mikael Forssell who smartly fired in his shot which bounced off Taylor's back and past Mark Schwarzer.
Only the brilliance of the Boro goalkeeper prevented further goals from Hughes and Morrison. He made a block to keep out Hughes' effort and then finger-tipped Morrison's shot over the bar.
Savage continued to be involved in almost every incident as indicated in the 56th minute when he won a free-kick from a challenge by Boateng.
The Boro man kicked the ball away, collected a yellow card, argued with the referee who moved the free-kick ten yards closer to the Middlesbrough goal.
From of the edge of the penalty area Savage arrowed his right-foot shot into the roof of the net.
It capped a miserable night for Middlesbrough who had five bookings to highlight their frustration.
Their only redemption was that they pulled back a 75th minute goal from substitute Szilard Nemeth following a rebound from a Mills shot, but it was to no avail as Forssell converted a 79th minute cross by Olivier Tebily.