Bruce relieved following victory

Wigan manager Steve Bruce has talked of his happiness to have defeated former club Birmingham on the weekend.

Speaking after the 2-0 result, Bruce said: "It was an absolutely crucial win,"

"Last weekend we were driving home from Portsmouth thinking, 'have we done enough?'
"The results had gone against us, but this weekend it's been our weekend really.

"It was a good performance and we thoroughly deserved it. We have given ourselves an outstanding chance.

"The first 35 minutes were arguably the best we've played - we simply blew them away and they couldn't handle Antonio Valencia.

"It was fitting that he makes the goal and Ryan Taylor - a week ago he was everbody's villain, and he has popped up with two goals today and made the difference."

He continued: "If you look at our last five home games I don't think we have conceded a goal. We have won four and drew the other one, and that's been crucial.

"To get in this position with five games to go, you have to pay credit to the players who have looked a very good team on a difficult pitch.

"It was difficult against 10 men as we wanted to shift the ball quickly and it's hard on such a poor surface, but some of the stuff in the first 35 minutes is a credit to the players to be able to play that well on such a difficult pitch."