While the home side secured their best start to a league campaign for 11 years by brushing aside Barnsley at St Andrew's, it is a completely different story for the Tykes.

Kevin Phillips and Garry O'Connor continued their prolific early-season form to secure maximum points from the opening three games and send the Blues to the top of the table.

Former England striker Phillips lost his marker in the 13th minute to head home his third goal in as many league games and hand Blues the lead in a hard-fought encounter.

The home side did not have it all their own way and Diego Leon fired a 25-yard effort against the crossbar, but O'Connor followed Phillips' lead to escape his marker and head his second league goal of the campaign just before the interval.

The result leaves Barnsley rooted to the foot of the table and gives manager Davey much to ponder after four consecutive defeats.

He said: "This is the first time that I have lost four games in a row and it has got to stop now.

"Silly basic errors are costing us and that is why we were behind at half-time.

"We had chances but we didn't take them and that has to change. We are just not converting them when they come along and if that happens things become a struggle.

"Goals change games and the fact that Birmingham scored their second just before half-time changed the game.

"We have now got a massive home match coming up against Derby County next weekend.

"We have got to get three points. The players know that. We know that as staff and the supporters know that."

Davey had drafted midfielder Mounir El Haimour into his starting XI to replace the suspended Iain Hume, but otherwise named the same line-up beaten 2-1 by Coventry last weekend.

The Tykes started brightly with Leon's free-kick nearly causing an early upset. But Birmingham soon settled into their stride with O'Connor's overhead kick and Phillips' close-range header almost finding the net.

Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele had to be alert to tip Stuart Parnaby's effort around a post, but it was not long before the hosts made the crucial breakthrough through Phillips.

O'Connor then gave Birmingham some breathing space and while Davey took off defender Bobby Hassell and replaced him with striker Kayode Odejayi in an attempt to hit back, they could not convert their chances.

Birmingham City: Maik Taylor; Parnaby (Kelly 36), Martin Taylor, Ridgewell, Murphy; Larsson, Carsley, McFadden; Owusu-Abeyie, Phillips (McSheffrey 72), O'Connor (Bent 46). Unused substitutes: Doyle, Mutch.

Barnsley: Steele; Hassell (Odejayi 46), Moore, Foster, Guedes; Howard, Teale, Devaney (Mostto 72), Leon, El Haimour; Macken. Unused substitutes: Letheren, Atkinson, Kozluk.

Referee: Richard Beeby (Northamptonshire).

Man of the match: James McFadden.