Marlon King scored twice as Birmingham City underlined their promotion credentials with a 6-0 thrashing of nine-man Millwall at The New Den.

Curtis Davies headed the visitors ahead before Millwall's Shane Lowry saw red.

But, after Alan Dunne's 57th-minute dismissal, Blues added five more goals.

King and Burke both scored from close range, then Adam Rooney fired in from 20 yards for the fourth, King tucking in his second before Nathan Redmond hammered home in injury time.

The game raced away from Millwall after Lowry and Dunne were both given their marching orders following separate incidents both involving visiting striker Nikola Zigic.

Despite being on the back foot for much of the early stages, Davies gave Blues an 18th-minute lead against the run of play.

The former West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa defender burst in unmarked at the back post to head home Jordon Mutch's free-kick.

After Lowry was red carded on 22 minutes, following an off-the-ball clash with Zigic, the visitors then gained the upper hand.

But it took Dunne's dismissal, a straight red for a tackle from behind on Blues' big Serbian striker, to open the floodgates.

Two minutes later, King turned to shoot past Millwall goalkeeper David Forde before Blues went on to score four times in 18 minutes late on.

Burke exchanged passes with King before firing into the top corner, then substitute Rooney thumped in from the edge of the area.

By this stage Birmingham were running riot and King made it five after rounding Forde.

Redmond thumped in the sixth from 12 yards in stoppage time to put the gloss on a resounding win for Chris Hughton's side, who climb up into the Championship play-off zone.

Birmingham boss Chris Hughton:

"After having not started the game too well, we probably went in front against the run of play but we were then able to capitalise on the circumstances and the space we were afforded.

"You have still got to put the ball in the back of the net though and that is something that we have found a little bit more difficult away from home, so certainly it is a good feeling to get the goals.

"You are up against initially 10 men with a crowd that is going to push their team on and contest every decision so it is never easy but of course it is easier when 10 becomes nine."

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett on having Shane Lowry and Alan Dunne sent off:

"Shane's sending off looked a harsh decision to me and Alan's, which I had a better view of, I couldn't really see where it came from to be honest.

"I couldn't see it coming but I thought that was harsh as well. While we were down to 10 men and it was 1-0 it was evenly poised and it was possible for us to get back into the game.

"There were long periods when it was 1-0 when we did well but after the second sending off it should perhaps have been more a case of damage limitation.

"Obviously the second sending off opened the floodgates and we will put this rather bizarre day behind us and we have got to make sure it doesn't knock us."

Lineup, Bookings (7) & Substitutions (6)

Millwall

  • 01 Forde
  • 02 Dunne Dismissed
  • 05 Robinson
  • 21 Smith
  • 31 Lowry Dismissed
  • 06 Trotter Booked
  • 08 Bouazza
  • 15 Feeney (Henry - 85' )
  • 26 Abdou
  • 22 N'Guessan Booked (McQuoid - 71' )
  • 37 Kane (Marquis - 85' )

Substitutes

  • 23 Mildenhall
  • 03 Craig
  • 10 McQuoid
  • 14 Henry
  • 09 Marquis

Birmingham City

  • 01 Myhill
  • 04 Caldwell
  • 06 Ridgewell
  • 23 Spector
  • 24 Davies
  • 07 Burke (Redmond - 81' )
  • 11 Beausejour
  • 12 Mutch Booked (Gomis - 46' )
  • 18 Fahey
  • 09 King
  • 19 Zigic Booked (Rooney - 61' Booked )

Substitutes

  • 13 Doyle
  • 03 Murphy
  • 14 Gomis
  • 22 Redmond
  • 17 Rooney
Ref: Moss
Att: 10,539

Match Stats

Shots

16 17

On target

6 12

Corners

5 3

Fouls

15 10

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +2:34 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

90:00 +1:37

Assist by Marlon King.

90:00 +1:37 Goal scored

Goal - Nathan Redmond - Millwall 0 - 6 Birmingham A goal is scored by Nathan Redmond from inside the penalty box low into the middle of the goal. Millwall 0-6 Birmingham.

89:48

Marlon King takes a shot. Save by David Forde.

87:46

Unfair challenge on John Marquis by Morgaro Gomis results in a free kick. Hamer Bouazza has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.

86:05

The assistant referee flags for offside against Josh McQuoid. Direct free kick taken by Curtis Davies.

84:35 Substitution

Substitution (Millwall) makes a substitution, with John Marquis coming on for Harry Kane.

84:35 Substitution

Substitution (Millwall) makes a substitution, with James Henry coming on for Liam Feeney.

84:03

Jean Beausejour has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box missing to the wide left of the goal.

82:40

The assist for the goal came from Nathan Redmond.

82:40 Goal scored

Goal - Marlon King - Millwall 0 - 5 Birmingham Marlon King finds the back of the net with a goal from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Millwall 0-5 Birmingham.

82:01

Liam Feeney has an effort at goal from a long way out that misses to the right of the target.

81:00 Substitution

Substitution Nathan Redmond is brought on as a substitute for Chris Burke.

80:04

The assist for the goal came from Chris Burke.

80:04 Goal scored

Goal - Adam Rooney - Millwall 0 - 4 Birmingham Adam Rooney finds the net with a goal from the edge of the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Millwall 0-4 Birmingham.

78:39

Adam Rooney concedes a free kick for a foul on David Forde. David Forde takes the free kick.

76:40

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Liam Trotter by Morgaro Gomis. Free kick crossed left-footed by Hamer Bouazza. The assistant referee flags for offside against Liam Feeney. Boaz Myhill restarts play with the free kick.

73:38

Assist by Marlon King.

73:38 Goal scored

Goal - Chris Burke - Millwall 0 - 3 Birmingham Chris Burke grabs a goal from inside the area to the top left corner of the goal. Millwall 0-3 Birmingham.

70:07 Substitution

Substitution Dany N'Guessan leaves the field to be replaced by Josh McQuoid.

68:26

Keith Fahey takes a shot. David Forde makes a save.

68:09

Short corner worked by Chris Burke.

67:54

Marlon King takes a shot. Save by David Forde.

67:19

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Steven Caldwell by Harry Kane. Indirect free kick taken by Steven Caldwell.

65:28

Unfair challenge on Steven Caldwell by Dany N'Guessan results in a free kick. Steven Caldwell restarts play with the free kick.

64:00

Dany N'Guessan produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the target.

63:20

Free kick taken by David Forde.

63:20 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Adam Rooney for unsporting behaviour.

63:00

Adam Rooney gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jack Smith.

62:13

Indirect free kick taken by Curtis Davies.

62:13 Booking

Booking The referee shows Dany N'Guessan a yellow card.

61:57

Dany N'Guessan concedes a free kick for a foul on Jonathan Spector.

61:16

Corner taken left-footed by Hamer Bouazza from the left by-line, Liam Feeney takes a shot. Save by Boaz Myhill.

60:08 Substitution

Substitution Adam Rooney comes on in place of Nikola Zigic.

58:33

The assist for the goal came from Keith Fahey.

58:33 Goal scored

Goal - Marlon King - Millwall 0 - 2 Birmingham Marlon King gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the box to the top right corner of the goal. Millwall 0-2 Birmingham.

56:36

Steven Caldwell restarts play with the free kick.

56:36 Dismissal

Dismissal The referee shows Alan Dunne a red card.

56:24

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nikola Zigic by Alan Dunne.

54:51

Jonathan Spector fouled by Dany N'Guessan, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Curtis Davies.

53:44

The official flags Nikola Zigic offside. Direct free kick taken by David Forde.

49:41

Free kick awarded for a foul by Paul Robinson on Marlon King. Indirect free kick taken by Chris Burke.

50:50

Marlon King has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

49:41

Paul Robinson challenges Marlon King unfairly and gives away a free kick. Marlon King restarts play with the free kick.

48:41

Corner from the right by-line taken by Chris Burke, Curtis Davies takes a shot. Blocked by Nadjim Abdou.

48:20

Marlon King takes a shot. Save made by David Forde.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Morgaro Gomis on for Jordon Mutch.

45:00 +4:04 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to signal half-time.

45:00 +3:30

Marlon King produces a overhead kick right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the right-hand post.

45:00 +2:38

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Boaz Myhill.

45:00 +2:02

Free kick awarded for a foul by Hamer Bouazza on Jordon Mutch. Liam Ridgewell takes the indirect free kick.

45:00 +1:16

The official flags Dany N'Guessan offside. Boaz Myhill takes the free kick.

43:51

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Hamer Bouazza played to the near post.

43:34

Harry Kane takes a shot. Boaz Myhill makes a save.

42:10

Effort on goal by Harry Kane from outside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.

41:14

Jordon Mutch takes the indirect free kick.

41:14 Booking

Booking The referee shows Liam Trotter a yellow card.

40:53

Foul by Liam Trotter on Chris Burke, free kick awarded.

40:30

Harry Kane takes a shot. Steven Caldwell gets a block in.

38:45

Keith Fahey produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses right.

38:07

Jean Beausejour fouled by Alan Dunne, the ref awards a free kick. Jordon Mutch takes the free kick.

38:07

Alan Dunne challenges Jean Beausejour unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Jordon Mutch.

37:26

Curtis Davies fouled by Dany N'Guessan, the ref awards a free kick. Boaz Myhill takes the indirect free kick.

35:23

Dany N'Guessan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jonathan Spector. Boaz Myhill takes the free kick.

34:53

Jack Smith takes the free kick.

34:53 Booking

Booking Booking for Nikola Zigic.

34:43

Foul by Nikola Zigic on Jack Smith, free kick awarded.

32:05

Shot from just outside the box by Jordon Mutch misses to the left of the goal.

29:23

Harry Kane has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide left of the goal.

28:07

Jordon Mutch takes a shot. David Forde makes a save.

26:35

Alan Dunne takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.

25:37

Liam Feeney produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the target.

22:00

Unfair challenge on Hamer Bouazza by Jordon Mutch results in a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by David Forde.

21:09

Jordon Mutch takes the free kick.

21:09 Dismissal

Dismissal Shane Lowry shown a red card.

20:38

Nikola Zigic fouled by Shane Lowry, the ref awards a free kick.

17:23

The assist for the goal came from Jordon Mutch.

17:23 Goal scored

Goal - Curtis Davies - Millwall 0 - 1 Birmingham Curtis Davies finds the net with a headed goal from inside the penalty area. Millwall 0-1 Birmingham.

16:52

Free kick awarded for a foul by Liam Trotter on Marlon King. Indirect free kick taken by Jordon Mutch.

15:45

Jean Beausejour challenges Alan Dunne unfairly and gives away a free kick. Alan Dunne takes the free kick.

14:27

Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Harry Kane misses to the left of the goal.

12:22

Corner from the right by-line taken by Hamer Bouazza, Steven Caldwell fouled by Dany N'Guessan, the ref awards a free kick. Boaz Myhill takes the free kick.

11:56

Liam Trotter takes a shot. Blocked by Liam Ridgewell.

11:13

Inswinging corner taken by Hamer Bouazza, Harry Kane takes a shot. Jonathan Spector gets a block in.

8:47

Foul by Liam Feeney on Liam Ridgewell, free kick awarded. Indirect free kick taken by Boaz Myhill.

7:19

The assistant referee signals for offside against Dany N'Guessan. Direct free kick taken by Boaz Myhill.

6:30

Foul by Liam Ridgewell on Liam Feeney, free kick awarded. Alan Dunne restarts play with the free kick.

4:47

Corner taken left-footed by Hamer Bouazza from the left by-line, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Harry Kane goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

3:52

Harry Kane produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick, blocked by Jonathan Spector.

3:52 Booking

Booking Booking for Jordon Mutch.

3:43

Jack Smith fouled by Jordon Mutch, the ref awards a free kick.

2:27

Dany N'Guessan has a headed effort at goal from close range which goes wide of the left-hand post.

1:29

Nikola Zigic gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Shane Lowry. David Forde takes the free kick.

0:40

Jordon Mutch takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Harry Kane makes a clearance.

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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