Blues produced what was arguably their best performance of the season so far to run out comfortable winners against high flying Wigan.

Jermaine Pennant scored an exquisite headed goal for Blues for their opener, before Mario Melchiot made it 2-0 to Steve Bruce's battling Blues just after the half hour mark.

Bruce made three changes to side which had lost against Chelsea just 48 hours earlier.

The Blues boss was boosted by the recovery from an ankle injury of Matt Upson, who he had anticipated being out of action for several weeks, but passed a late fitness test at lunchtime today.

Up front Jiri Jarosik returned following his unavailability against Chelsea and Mario Melchiot was back in defence after recovering from a knee injury.

Blues began the game kicking towards the Railway End.

The first chance came just 40 seconds into the game when Maik Taylor launched the ball deep into the Wigan half.

Julian Gray rose above his marker but could only direct his header into the arms of Mike Pollitt in the Wigan goal.

Wigan's first effort came on 12 minutes from a free kick.

Referee Walton adjudged that Kenny Cunningham had fouled Jason Roberts on the edge of the Blues penalty area.

Jimmy Bullard swung in a vicious free which Maik Taylor did well to punch away.

Just a minute later good interplay between Jarosik and Lazaridis saw the Australian burst through on the left wing before being tripped by Chimbonda who earned himself a yellow card for the challenge. 

The visitors' picked up their second yellow of the game on 19 minutes when McCulloch tripped Pennant as he raced down the wing at speed.

Lazaridis swung in an excellent free kick, but Heskey headed the ball a yard over the bar.

Blues' attacking dominance paid dividends on 20 minutes when Jermaine Pennant scored a great header to put Blues 1-0 up.

Jarosik beat his man on the left wing before chipping in to the far post for Pennant to head the ball back across Wigan keeper Pollitt into the far corner of the net to the delight and relief of the St. Andrew's crowd.

Pennant almost turned provider on 26 minutes when he swung in a superb ball from the right which Heskey just failed to connect with just eight yards out.

Blues were brimming with confidence now and causing the Wigan defence all sorts of problems.

So it was no surprise when Steve Bruce's side doubled their advantage on 33 minutes.

Jermaine Pennant curled in a corner which bounced around the visitors' box before Muzzy Izzet drilled in a low shot from the edge of the box.

The midfielder's shot was blocked, but only into the path of Mario Melchiot, who was just four yards out and he rifled the ball home to make it 2-0.

Blues had no intention of just sitting back on their lead and were continuing to take the game to Paul Jewell's side but were unable to extend their advantage before the half time break.

Half time: Blues 2 Wigan 0

Both sides made a single change for the start of the second half.

Martin Taylor came on in place of Mario Melchiot for Blues and Gary Teale replaced Josip Skoko for Wigan.

Kenny Cunningham moved across the back line to right back, with Taylor slotting in alongside Upson in the centre of defence.

Emile Heskey became the first Blues player to be booked just two minutes after the restart for dissent.

The striker should have opened his goalscoring account ten minutes into the second period.

Pennant's free kick was headed down by Taylor to Heskey just six yards out but the Blues striker completely miss-kicked the ball and it bounced comfortably into Pollitt's hands.

The game was becoming real end to end stuff now but without either side creating clear-cut opportunities.

Blues should have done better on 63 minutes when Pennant swung in yet another first class corner.

But unfortunately for Blues none of the players running in could connect with the ball and it bounced agonisingly across the front of the visitors' goal.

Pennant created another piece of magic on the wing on 67 minutes when he hared down the right side before firing the ball into the near post.

Kuckily for Paul Jewell's side Teale headed the ball away just before it reached Jarosik who had made an excellent run into the six yard box.

On 71 minutes Wigan made their second substitution of the game with David Connolly replacing Lee McCulloch.

Their third came two minutes later when Bullard was replaced by Graham Kavanagh.

Walter Pandiani was introduced to the proceedings on 74 minutes in place of Jiri Jarosik.

Neil Kilkenny then replaced Muzzy Izzet with six minutes to go.

Blues never looked like conceding in the final climax of the game and Steve Bruce will be delighted to see his side start the 2006 with a well-deserved victory against his former club.

Full-time: Blues 2 Wigan 0

Blues: Maik Taylor, Melchiot (Martin Taylor), Upson, Cunningham, Gray, Johnson, Pennant, Izzet (Kilkenny), Lazaridis,  Jarosik (pPndiani), Heskey.

Subs not used: Vaesen, Butt.

Wigan: Pollitt, Chimbonda, Henchoz, Camara, McCulloch (Connolly), Wright, DeZeeuw, Francis, Bullard (Kavanagh), Skoko (Teale), Roberts.
Subs from: Filan, Jackson.

Referee: P Walton (Northants)

Attendance: 29,189