Chelsea ended Birmingham's unbeaten run

Chelsea stormed back to the top of the Premier League with another superb home performance as they ended Birmingham's 15-match unbeaten run in fine style.

Florent Malouda got the ball rolling with the simplest of headers after some good work down the right by Joe Cole.

And Frank Lampard grabbed the second with a typically pin-point 20-yarder.

Birmingham had only two shots on goal, Petr Cech saving the best from Keith Fahey, and Lampard slammed in a third late on to wrap up a comprehensive win.

The results means the Londoners, thanks in part to rivals Arsenal's failure to beat Aston Villa at Villa Park, return to the top of the table after falling off the number one spot last weekend for the first time in three months.

City had been the only team in the league to prevent Chelsea from scoring when the two teams met at St Andrews on Boxing Day but Ancelotti's side are a different animal at home.

There was also a distinct lack of ambition in City's play, which was surprising given their 15-game unbeaten run.

The visitors simply had no answer to Chelsea's passing and movement. With Deco the fulcrum, Lampard typically effervescent, and Joe Cole always inventive, Birmingham were given barely a glimpse of the football all night.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti:
"We use all the pitch to attack and so Frank is able to run into the box to score. I think he's the best running midfielder in the world. He has this fantastic quality to time his run into the box.

"It's good we are back at the top. We have one more point with a game in hand on United and two points more than Arsenal.

"That's important because on Sunday United play Arsenal. Maybe we can improve our position on Saturday."

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish:
"I don't think anyone has won here this season and they have battered better teams than us.

"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."