While Chelsea enjoyed the better chances at St Andrew's it was Birmingham who had the ball in the net, Christian Benitez poking it over the line, only to see the flag raised against him for offside.

The visitors, defending a four-point lead over second-placed Manchester United, had excellent chances to win it themselves as Branislav Ivanovic, Daniel Sturridge, Alex and Florent Malouda all went close. Malouda, meanwhile, was dismissed in the closing stages after receiving a second caution.