Birmingham City striker Lukas Jutkiewicz scored both goals to beat Stoke City and edge Blues further clear of trouble in the Championship.
He then scored again eight minutes after the break, firing home a left-foot shot to complete Blues' third successive home league win under Lee Bowyer - as many as they had enjoyed in their previous 32.
That lifts Bowyer's rejuvenated side up three places to 18th, now nine points clear of the relegation zone, while injury-hit Stoke drop one place to 12th after their sixth defeat in 10 games.
Blues already had a fine record at home to Stoke, who have not won at Birmingham since October 1988.