A first-half hat-trick from home debutant Jesse Lingard has given Birmingham City a 3-0 lead over Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.
Wednesday created the game's first real opportunity when Michail Antonio cut in from the right before firing a low shot, which was easily saved by Darren Randolph in the Birmingham goal.
The Yorkshire club worked the ball well again, this time down the left, where it was crossed for Liam Palmer at the far post, but he scuffed a tame effort wide.
However, despite the run of play, it was the hosts who took the lead when Lingard tapped home after Chris Burke's initial shot was saved to put City 1-0 ahead.
The Blues could have increased their lead heading into the final 10 minutes of the first half when Matt Green got in on goal after Kamil Zayatte misjudged a long ball forward, but Chris Kirkland was out quickly to prevent City from going further ahead.
Lee Clark's men did not have to wait too long, though, as Lingard continued to cause problems and added his second having latched onto a superb pass from Wade Elliott.
Lingard's dream start was then cemented only a few minutes later when he completed a first-half hat-trick.
Christopher Dodd
