Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal against Aston Villa during their English Premier League football match in Birmingham, central England, yesterday. - Reuters photo

LONDON (Reuters):

Birmingham City thumped bottom club Southend United 4-0 to open up a five-point lead in the second division yesterday.

Southend, who played superbly and were only beaten 1-0 after extra time in a League Cup quarter-final at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, were a shadow of the side that did so well at White Hart Lane.

Dudley Campbell put Birmingham ahead after eight minutes and further goals from Stephen Clemence, Gary McSheffrey and Radhi Jaidi gave Steve Bruce's team a comfortable win.

Preston into second

Birmingham have 49 points from 24 games, five clear of Preston North End who moved up to second place after a 1-0 win over Colchester United, their 32nd match unbeaten at home. David Nugent scored the only goal after 33 minutes.

Derby County, second at the start of the day, slipped to third on 44 points, the same as Preston, after drawing 0-0 at Burnley.

Mid-table Sheffield Wednesday came back from 2-0 and 3-1 down to draw 3-3 at home with promotion-chasing Southampton.

The Saints looked to have the points wrapped up when they went 3-1 ahead with goals from Gregorz Raziak (14), Kenwyne Jones (27) and Bradley Wright-Phillips (50).

But Wednesday dramatically salvaged a point. Glenn Whelan, who scored their opener after 28 minutes, hit the second after 69 minutes before goalkeeper Mark Crossley, who came up for a last-minute corner, headed the equaliser.

It was the first goal the 37-year-old keeper had scored in almost 20 years as a professional.