Blackburn 3
Bentley 66 Derbyshire 82(pen) Santa Cruz 90
Birmingham 0
Blackburn 3 Birmingham 0 September 26 2007
David Bentley enhanced his England credentials with a superb 66th-minute goal as Blackburn beat Birmingham in the Carling Cup third round.
The 23-year-old, widely jeered when he made his senior international debut against Israel earlier this month, produced a delightful effort from 25 yards which flew into the top corner.
Matt Derbyshire added the second from the penalty spot and substitute Roque Santa Cruz netted a last-minute header to finally end the spirited resistance of what was effectively Birmingham's reserve side.
That only 9,205 were present at Ewood Park to witness the victory was the only disappointment for Mark Hughes as he plots his side's route to Wembley.
Blues' Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson suffered a sickening facial injury which led to him being stretchered off shortly before half-time and taken to hospital.