LIFE after Big Sam has proved far from rosy for Bolton, who were unable to buck the trend against Sebastian Larsson-inspired Birmingham, falling to a fifth defeat out of their first six Premier League games. It was the home side’s first clean sheet as well as their first home win of the season and, richly deserved, it will set them free – for now, at least – of the worry afflicting Sam Allardyce’s successor as Bolton manager, Sammy Lee.

He deployed Gavin McCann in the holding role in front of the back four instead of Gary Speed,a more attacking player. Birmingham, however, were able to seize the initiative more easily.

Indecision and a distinct lack of communication between Jussi Jaaskelainen, the Bolton goalkeeper, and Jlloyd Samuel invited early punishment by Cameron Jerome. The striker managed to control a long clearance by his own goalkeeper, Maik Taylor, but shot wide from the right edge of the penalty area.

Larsson was productive on Birmingham’s right side from the outset, whether he was cutting inside Samuel and shooting – a move which required a brave block inside the box by Abdoulaye Meite – or delivering a free kick on to the head of Olivier Kapo, forcing a fine save by Jaaskelainen to his left.

The Swede, a £1m signing from Arsenal in January, tormented Samuel again as he raced into the box before the defender managed to redeem himself with a saving tackle, but Birmingham’s greater urgency was bothering Bolton.

Kevin Nolan was unable to impose himself in a meaningful way, the Bolton skipper shooting wide on the half-volley from the edge of the penalty area when Franck Queudrue tried to clear, and heading over the crossbar from a cross by El Hadji Diouf. Taylor had to make a sharp save from Samuel when he cut in from the left and Andy O’Brien spurned a gilt-edged chance when he headed over at the back post from a corner by Diouf, which eluded everybody bar the Bolton defender, who was making his first start of the season.

Birmingham’s superiority was confirmed just before the interval, Larsson creating the chance for Kapo with another tremendous delivery to the back post, with his weaker left foot. The former French international beat Jaaskelainen from close range.

Diouf’s freer role in the second half, joining Anelka in attack, posed the biggest threat to Birmingham. Only a well-timed tackle by Mehdi Nafti prevented a scoring chance. Diouf also linked up with substitute Daniel Braaten, whose strong run from inside his own half culminated in a shot charged down brilliantly by Stephen Kelly. Birmingham’s defence was resolute when it had to be, exemplified by a powerful clearing header by Queudrue.

Larsson continued to trouble Bolton, a strong run along the right and a powerful shot demanding a superb save by Jaaskelainen. When O’Brien brought down Jerome from behind the free kick from the edge of the area was struck majestically by Larsson but, with Jaaskelainen beaten, came back off the underside of the bar.

Samuel was stretchered off after a collision with Larsson before Bolton escaped further woe when Larsson’s corner, headed on by Johan Djourou, had to be cleared off the line by McCann. The damage had already been done and Lee’s job has been made no easier.

Star man: Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham)

Player ratings: Birmingham: Taylor 7, Kelly 7, Djourou 7, Ridgewell 7, Queudrue 7, Larsson 8, Nafti 7, Muamba 6 (Melendez 87min), McSheffrey 6 (Schmitz 90min), Kapo 7, Jerome 7 (O’Connor 90min)

Bolton: Jaaskelainen 7, Hunt 7, O’Brien 5 (Cid 77min), Meite 7, Samuel 6 (Gardner 73min), McCann 6, Nolan 6, Alonso 6 (Braaten 54min, 7), Speed 6, Diouf 7, Anelka 6