Last Updated: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:30
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish refused to blame his players after their 15-match unbeaten run was ended by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The home side surged back to the top of the Premier League thanks to the 3-0 win and Arsenal's draw at Aston Villa, with City never in the game after falling behind on just five minutes to a Florent Malouda header.
Frank Lampard was given too much time to make it 2-0 at half-time before the England man grabbed his second to seal the match at the death.
And McLeish said afterwards: "We shot ourselves in the foot with a bad start. It was most unlike us. We were caught flat-footed and that first goal was too easy. We're playing against a world-class side there.
He added: "I'm not disappointed with the players at all. They deserve tremendous credit for the run they have been on and they have the character to bounce back.
"Chelsea are a good side. They have the foreign flavour, the keep-ball and movement is excellent.
"They are one of the favourites for the Champions League, let alone the Premier League. We have kept the ball better than that and were wasteful in possession, but I'll forgive the players this one. There's no disgrace losing here."