Blues beat Villa 3-0 in the first top-flight derby for 16 years

Birmingham City beat Aston Villa 3-0 at St Andrew's on 16 September, winning the first top-flight Second City derby for 16 years in unforgettable fashion.

Clinton Morrison opened the scoring, a bizarre own goal from Villa goalkeeper Peter Enckelman doubled the lead, and Geoff Horsfield added a third to send the home fans into ecstasy.

The goals

Morrison, signed from Crystal Palace in the summer, gave Blues the lead after 31 minutes, finishing well after good work in the build-up.

The second goal, 13 minutes from time, will be talked about for years. Villa defender Olof Mellberg took a throw-in back towards Enckelman, but the ball rolled under the goalkeeper's foot and into the net. The referee, David Elleray, awarded the goal, ruling that Enckelman had touched the ball.

Horsfield then made sure of the win six minutes later, pouncing on a mistake by Villa's Turkish defender Alpay to score.

A night to remember

The game was played on a Monday night in front of a full house and live television cameras. The atmosphere at St Andrew's was electric from the start, and the noise at the final whistle was deafening.

For Blues fans, it was a night of pure joy. Their club has lived in Villa's shadow for much of the last two decades, and this win has given them bragging rights in the city.

There were some ugly scenes, however. A small number of fans ran onto the pitch during the game, and one confronted Enckelman after the second goal.

Villa's misery

For Villa and their manager Graham Taylor, the result was a humiliation. Villa had started the season with high hopes, but they were second best for much of the game.

Enckelman, a Finnish international, will be desperate to put the incident behind him, and will need the support of his manager and team-mates.

A new chapter

The two clubs have not met in the top flight since the 1985-86 season, and many younger fans had never seen a top-flight derby. The rivalry, which dates back to the 1870s, is one of the oldest in English football.

Blues' promotion last season, under manager Steve Bruce, has brought the derby back into the Premiership, and this result will live long in the memory of Blues supporters.

The return game at Villa Park is due in March, and Villa will be desperate to put the record straight.

Bruce's delight

Bruce has built a hard-working side, and this performance showed what they are capable of. The win will give them confidence for the rest of the season.

For the fans who filled St Andrew's, it was a night they will talk about for the rest of their lives.