The first half of this match was like watching a master class in football. Birmingham just didn't have an answer. The most puzzling thing was how we only went in 1-0 up.

You could tell that Steve Bruce had is lads well fired up for this one and the Blues of Brum were just blown away.

The frustration showed for them as their captain went in really wildly on Kevin Kilbane and was shown an immediate Red card.

In the first ten minutes Wigan showed their intent as they piled the pressure on. Bent had the first effort but captain Melchiot got in the way. Bent's second effort was clearer cut for him, but his shot was high and handsome form just ten yards.

Valencia dominated the right wing all afternoon and was clinical in his cross for the first goal. He breezed past Jaidi, looked up and saw Heskey in the middle, but then looked up again to clock the on rushing Ryan Taylor at the far side of the box.

The Ecuadorian ace then placed a perfect cross to the feet of Taylor, cutting out the Birmingham defence who were all concentrating on Heskey, and blasted the ball into the net giving Maik Taylor no chance.

Valencia had a decent effort at goal which Maik Taylor parried but Bent couldn't finish from close range and the ball was put behind for a corner.

Heskey then had his shot saved after great work from Kevin Kilbane and Palacios wasted his opportunity when put in by Skoko.

Palacios had another shot blocked after the very impressive Valencia tore apart the Brum defence again.

Ten minutes before half time and the Birmingham captain gave his side little hope of coming back as he went in very heavy and late on Kevin Kilbane.

He was immediately given his marching orders even though Killer, very strangely looked as though he was trying to get the referee to be lenient.

Kirkland was called upon for a couple of easy catches but the half went on without much incident in the Latic box and the half ended with Bent sending his header just over Taylor's bar.

The second half starts off very brightly as Heskey is sent through on goal, but he didn't keep his composure when one on one with Taylor and sent his shot wide.

Ten minutes into the half Kilbane cut back the ball to Heskey who's shot was brilliantly saved by Taylor who then saved the follow up from Ryan Taylor.

The ball though just came back at the young winger and he fumbled it into the goal to put us two up and out of sight.

Bent was next to try but after rounding the keeper, Martin Taylor made it back onto the goal line clear.

Taylor tried for his hat trick but his 35 yard effort was blocked by Jaidi.

The last half hour saw Latics very content to reserve their fitness and see out the game without injury.

But that didn't stop Valencia terrorising when he saw fit. He laid of chances to Taylor, Skoko and Palacios all of which came to nothing.

Birmingham did have one effort of note in the half (in fact the game) where Zarate went on a one man mission through the Latics midfield and Defence. But his shot caused no problems as it sailed over the bar.

Job done and we are that little bit closer to safety. Are Bolton going to get 8 points out of their last 5 games??? Are Fulham going to get 10????. One more win should do it and maybe it will be next Monday at Chelsea.

Report by Jason Taylor www.cockneylatic.co.uk