Birmingham striker Tommy Mooney marked his appointment as captain for the day
by helping send his former club sliding to defeat with a double at St Andrews.
Mooney, who joined Birmingham as a free agent last summer after coming to the
end of his contract at Vicarage Road, struck once in each half.
Ironically, central defender Darren Purse, who had been stripped of the
captaincy after refusing to sign a new contract this week, had nodded Birmingham
into the lead.
It was City's second successive win as they kept alive their promotion
play-offs hopes against a ragged Watford side who are sliding down the table at
an alarming rate.
They only really came to life when they were trailing 3-0. But their comeback
bid was too late and all they had to show for their efforts was a consolation
strike from Jermaine Pennant with a free-kick and a last-minute own goal from
City central defender Michael Johnson.
It could have been so different if Watford had taken advantage of the chance
that fell their way after only three minutes. Watford's former Rangers' striker
Marcus Gayle found himself unmarked on the edge of the area and drilled in a
fierce drive that Birmingham goalkeeper Ian Bennett did well to beat away.
It was to prove to be a crucial intervention by Bennett as Birmingham
effectively sealed their success with goals from Mooney and Purse in a
first-half that saw six players booked.
Purse broke the deadlock after 20 minutes, pouncing on an error by Watford
goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain. He failed to collect a cross by winger Stan
Lazaridis allowing Purse to rise above a crowded goalmouth to nod the ball home.
Birmingham, who only won their first game of the year when they beat Barnsley
1-0 a St Andrews, then effectively put the result beyond doubt three minutes
before half-time.
Lazaridis combined with City's England youth international midfielder Darren
Carter, to set up Mooney who was presented with the simple chance to fire past
Chamberlain from six yards.
Referee Phil Prosser then infuriated Watford by awarding Birmingham a
53rd-minute penalty when he ruled that Paul Okon had fouled Carter. Mooney took
full advantage to ram home the spot-kick.
Watford then stunned Birmingham when Pennant whipped in a free-kick from the
left wing that caught Bennett napping. Johnson then fired into his own net in
the final minute but it was too late for Watford.
Teams:
Birmingham: Bennett, Grainger, Purse, Michael Johnson, Kenna, Lazaridis (Hyde 83), Hughes, Carter, Devlin (Eaden 71), John, Mooney.
Subs Not Used: Vaesen, McCarthy, Andrew Johnson.
Booked: Purse, Grainger, Hughes, Devlin.
Goals: Purse 21, Mooney 42, 53 pen.
Watford: Chamberlain, Brown, Galli, Cox, Blondeau, Glass, Okon,
Hyde (Nielsen 57), Pennant, Helguson (Smith 57), Gayle.
Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Doyley, Hand.
Booked: Helguson, Galli, Glass, Gayle.
Goals: Pennant 59, Michael Johnson 90 og.
Att: 18,059
Ref: P Prosser (Innsworth).
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