Garry Monk was beaten in his first match as Birmingham manager by some familiar faces that did not fit when he made the calls for Middlesbrough.
Patrick Bamford scored only one Championship goal as Monk consigned him to the margins in favour of Britt Assombalonga during his five-month spell at the Riverside. But under Tony Pulis Bamford has been transformed.
The striker took his tally to seven goals in four games by tapping in during the first-half at St Andrew’s to ensure Monk’s debut ended in a sixth successive defeat for Birmingham.
It was like foes reunited as Adama Traore, Ryan Shotton, George Friend, Stewart Downing and Adam Clayton all featured for Boro having been out of favour under Monk.