A wonder goal from Stan Lazaridis inspired Birmingham to sweep aside feeble Everton and move back into the European reckoning at St Andrews.

Lazaridis blazed down the left flank from inside his own half in the 38th minute, beating Tony Hibbert and rocketing a left-footed shot past Nigel Martyn from a tight angle.

The Australian's second goal of the season was sandwiched by strikes from Damien Johnson and Mikael Forssell as the impressive Blues threatened to run riot.

Forssell and Bryan Hughes both hit the woodwork in the second half as David Moyes' miserable side were left searching for their first win of the year.

Wayne Rooney had been restored to Everton's attacking line-up alongside Duncan Ferguson and Tomas Radzinski but had nothing to offer except a second-half charge which was halted by Darren Purse.

Instead it was the Blues who pushed forward from the start with Lee Carsley's second minute mis-kick giving Forssell the first shot on target.

It was a sign of grim things to come for the visitors whose frequent lapses ought to have sent them on the way to a heavier defeat.

Forssell shot wide and Matthew Upson saw his header deflected out for a corner before Johnson's eighth-minute opener.

Thomas Gravesen failed to clear Robbie Savage's corner and Johnson struck with a low shot from the corner of the box which crept home under team-mate Clinton Morrison's foot.

Alan Stubbs had Everton's first chance in the 17th minute when he headed Gary Naysmith's corner wide of target.

But Everton were far too reliant on Naysmith's looping balls and their best chance of an equaliser came when Kenny Cunningham almost headed over his own keeper in the 19th minute.

Rooney failed with a pitiful scissors-kick attempt in the Blues box while at the other end Lazaridis blazed over the bar and Hughes had two shots blocked in a crowded box.

But St Andrew's erupted seven minutes from the break when Savage's fine cross-field ball found Lazaridis just inside his own half and the speedy midfielder did the rest.

Forssell also brought a fine save out of Martyn as Birmingham finished the half in total control.

Desperate Moyes flung on Kevin Campbell at half-time but it took the home side just three minutes to make the game safe and again it was down to Savage's vision.

The former Leicester man cued up Forssell across the box and he rifled a low shot home to Martyn's left.

Kevin Kilbane's close-range header was saved by Maik Taylor but another miraculous comeback from three behind was never on the cards for the beleaguered visitors.

Instead Birmingham continued to press forward with Forssell heading against the top of the post in the 58th minute.

Morrison picked up the rebound but saw his goal-bound effort deflected over the bar.

Everton substitute Alessandro Pistone had to be alert to head away a Lazaridis cross from in front of goal in the 67th minute.

Angry Moyes saw a loud penalty appeal turned down after James McFadden tumbled in the box under the challenge of Hughes.

Hughes dusted himself off and came close to grabbing the fourth with a rising shot which clattered Martyn's bar in the 79th minute.

And seven minutes from time Everton finally fashioned a clear-cut chance when Rooney's low drive hit the foot of Taylor's right-hand post.

Teams

Birmingham Maik Taylor, Tebily, Purse, Cunningham, Upson, Johnson, Savage (Dugarry 63), Hughes, Lazaridis (John 76), Forssell (Martin Taylor 80), Morrison.

Subs Not Used: Bennett, Kenna.

Booked: Tebily.

Goals: Johnson 8, Lazaridis 39, Forssell 49.

Everton Martyn, Hibbert, Stubbs, Unsworth (Pistone 45), Naysmith, Rooney, Carsley, Gravesen, Kilbane, Radzinski (McFadden 60), Ferguson (Campbell 45).

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Linderoth.

Att: 29,004

Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).