Claudio Ranieri's side climbed back into third spot into the Premiership as they ended their mini away slump in emphatic style and left Birmingham City still searching for their first win of 2003.

Goals from Gianfranco Zola, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink pushed Chelsea above Newcastle United for at least 24 hours.

Chelsea had lost their previous three away games and in the opening 45 minutes they were indebted to keeper Carlo Cudicini for keeping them on level terms.

He produced a string of fine saves as City, inspired by Christophe Dugarry, produced one of their most enterprising 45 minutes of the season.

But the opening goal from Zola a minute before the interval knocked the stuffing out of Steve Bruce's battlers, who are being sucked closer to the relegation zone.

Chelsea knocked the ball around with more customary flair in the second period with Emmanuel Petit an influential figure in the middle of the park.

The home side can take plenty of heart from the first half but the quality of their defending again left a lot to be desired and they have now gone nine games without a win and collected just three points in that period.

Blues 'keeper Nico Vaesen made the first save of note when he clung onto a 20-yard volley from Graeme Le Saux after Eidur Gudjohnsen had headed the ball down into his path.

But the home side were soon into their stride and Cudicini beat out a fierce shot from Stan Lazaridis following a cross into the area from Jeff Kenna.

Dugarry was causing plenty of problems with his trickery and both Marcel Desailly and John Terry were booked in quick succession for bringing down the French star.

Cudicini was almost caught out by a curling long range free-kick from Lazaridis which he just managed to turn around the post.

But the Italian then pulled off a superb save to finger-tip over a rising 20-yard pile-driver from Jamie Clapham after more good play by Dugarry.

Lazaridis then charged down a clearance from Terry which fell into the path of Dugarry. He took the ball past Desailly but again Cudicini was equal to the task and blocked his eventual shot.

Petit became the third Chelsea player to booked - for dissent after disputing a free-kick - and Chelsea were clearly frustrated.

But towards the interval they came more into the game and Kenny Cunningham produced a superb tackle to halt Frank Lampard as he prepared to shoot from close range.

Then, a minute before half-time, Zola - who had made little impact - stunned the home side with his 13th goal of the season.

Petit centred and Gudjohnsen headed the ball into the path of Zola who made no mistake with a sweetly-struck volley from 15 yards out which beat the despairing drive of Vaesen. It was harsh on City after one of their most enterprising 45 minutes of football of the season.

The limping Zola was replaced for the second half by Hasselbaink as City tried to rally and Cudicini again earned his spurs to keep out a close-range effort from Lazaridis.

But after 49 minutes they were left with a mountain to climb as Gudjohnsen clinically grabbed his ninth of the season.

Dugarry lost the ball deep in his own half to Frank Lampard but Chelsea broke with pace and Gudjohnsen was on hand to head home the eventual right-wing cross from Gronkjaer.

Chelsea now started to knock the ball around with confidence and Vaesen did well to keep out a deft flick by Gudjohnsen after good play by Hasselbaink.

But he had no chance after 68 minutes when Hasselbaink drilled home a penalty after he had been brought down himself in the area by Robbie Savage to seal City's fate.

Birmingham managed a consolation goal five minutes from time when Desailly fouled Clinton Morrison with Robbie Savage scoring from the penalty but it was too little, too late.

Teams

Birmingham: Vaesen, Kenna (Swierczewski 52), Cunningham, Upson, Clapham, Damien Johnson, Clemence, Savage, Lazaridis, Dugarry (Devlin 78), Horsfield (Morrison 65).

Subs Not Used: Bennett, John.

Booked: Damien Johnson.

Goals: Savage 87 pen.

Chelsea: Cudicini, Melchiot, Terry, Desailly, Gallas, Gronkjaer (De Lucas 74), Lampard (Morris 62), Petit, Le Saux, Zola (Hasselbaink 45), Gudjohnsen.

Subs Not Used: de Goey, Cole.

Booked: Desailly, Terry, Petit, De Lucas.

Goals: Zola 44, Gudjohnsen 49, Hasselbaink 69 pen.

Att: 29,475

Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).