Robbie Savage was at the centre of controversy but had the last word as his stunning free-kick helped secure victory for Birmingham over the new holders of the Carling Cup.

Savage may have been lucky to still be on the pitch after a reckless first-half challenge on Boro defender Danny Mills.

He escaped with only a yellow card and then appeared to be targeted for the remainder of the game by incensed Boro players.

But the Welsh international midfielder showed the other side of his game with his devastating strike from 20 yards out.

Martin Taylor - with his first goal for the club - and leading scorer Mikael Forssell sealed the victory which lifted Birmingham into seventh place in the Barclaycard Premiership.

Victory in their game in hand against Bolton on Saturday would put them level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle.

Blues manager Steve Bruce had demanded a response from his players after their dreadful performance against Sunderland in the FA Cup a week ago and he got the perfect response.

Birmingham are now undefeated in seven league outings since January 7 and, although Bruce keeps playing down the possibility of a European place, it is now becoming a realistic possibility.

To complete an unhappy night for the visitors midfielder Bolo Zenden was sent off in the closing stages after collecting his second yellow card of the evening.

Boro manager Steve McClaren made three changes from his victorious Carling Cup final line-up, resting Gaizka Mendieta and Juninho and leaving Doriva on the substitutes' bench and introducing Michael Ricketts, Jonathan Greening and Stewart Downing.

Bruce gave a first start to Taylor since his £1.5million move from Blackburn during the January transfer window and he joined the fit-again Matthew Upson in a rejigged defence - with Jeff Kenna and Darren Purse relegated to the bench.

David Dunn's long-term absence with his hamstring problem meant Stephen Clemence was back in midfield.

The home side, without Dunn and Stan Lazaridis, were pinned back early on as Boro started to hit form.

George Boateng produced the first on-target effort - but his low 25-yard drive was comfortably dealt with by Maik Taylor - before Downing and Joseph-Desire Job got in each other's way after a cross by Greening.

Morrison's shot on the turn flew into the sidenetting, before Savage and Mills were yellow-carded by referee Rob Styles after a touchline bust-up.

After 23 minutes Birmingham went ahead when Savage's quickly taken free-kick found Hughes in space on the left flank and he had time to cut the ball back into the path of leading scorer Forssell.

The Finn let fly with a powerful shot from 12 yards out but the ball took a wicked deflection off the back of Taylor before flying past Mark Schwarzer - and it was Taylor who received the congratulations of his team-mates.

Schwarzer saved a low effort from Hughes at the far post following a low centre from Morrison, then finger-tipped a powerful shot from Morrison over the bar from 10 yards after Forssell had flicked on a powerful centre from Damien Johnson.

Zenden was then booked by Styles after a crude challenge on Savage, before Savage doubled the home side's lead with his stunning 56th-minute free-kick as Boateng was made to pay a heavy price for showing dissent.

The former Aston Villa player argued with referee Styles after he awarded a foul against Doriva for a challenge 30 yards out on Clemence.

Styles yellow carded Boateng and then moved the ball 10 yards forward to the edge of the Boro penalty area - and Savage curled his free-kick over the defensive wall and into the roof of the net.

McClaren made his final substitution when he brought on Nemeth for the ineffective Greening after 62 minutes and his side started to try and ease their way back into the game.

Ehiogu became Boro's fifth player to be yellow-carded for a challenge on Forssell.

But with 16 minutes remaining Nemeth gave Boro a lifeline when the Slovakian international gave Maik Taylor no chance with a low shot from 20 yards out after Cunningham's header had fallen to him.

But within four minutes Birmingham had restored their two-goal lead via Forssell's 13th goal of the campaign.

Johnson sent a right-wing cross into the area and the ball broke to Forssell, who had time to force it past Schwarzer.

The Finnish international then earned himself a yellow card for a foul before coming off to a standing ovation with 10 minutes remaining when he was replaced by Stern John.

Zenden completed a frustrating night for Boro when he was sent off for a second bookable offence after halting Johnson in his tracks.

Styles then blew his whistle to end a pulsating match with Steve Bruce's depleted Birmingham side doing enough to poop Middlesbrough's Carling Cup celebrations.

Teams

Birmingham Maik Taylor, Tebily, Cunningham, Martin Taylor, Upson, Johnson, Savage (Kenna 90), Clemence, Hughes, Forssell (John 83), Morrison (Carter 88).

Subs Not Used: Bennett, Purse.

Booked: Savage, Forssell, Morrison.

Goals: Martin Taylor 23, Savage 57, Forssell 79.

Middlesbrough Schwarzer, Mills, Ehiogu, Southgate, Queudrue, Downing (Doriva 45), Zenden, Boateng, Greening (Nemeth 63), Ricketts, Job (Maccarone 45).

Subs Not Used: Jones, Riggott.

Sent Off: Zenden (87).

Booked: Zenden, Ricketts, Boateng, Ehiogu.

Goals: Nemeth 75.

Att: 29,369

Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).