McLeish deight as Nafti breaks his duck in Carling Cup romp for Blues

Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish was pleased with the easy 4-0 win at League Two Wycombe in the Carling Cup, saying: 'That was a thoroughly professional performance.

'Peter Taylor always puts out teams that are organised and it's not always easy when you are expected to wipe the floor with lower league opposition. But we did the job.

'Now we've got to go to Southampton in the League on Saturday and in the Carling Cup and I’d like to think we can win both games. I would like a long run in the Carling Cup.’

You beauty: Nafti celebrates his first-ever goal with Lee Carsley

Wycombe boss Taylor was disappointed at the way his team capitulated, saying: 'We showed them too much respect in the first half as well as giving them a cheap goal. That gave them confidence and although we came back a bit in the second half the second goal made it very hard.'

Mehdi Nafti’s first goal in 74 appearances gave Birmingham a comfortable lead. The Tunisia midfielder drilled a low 20-yard shot into the left corner of the net after Wycombe made a mess of clearing the ball, allowing Sebastian Larsson and Darren O’Connor to set up the strike.

Birmingham, favourites to go straight back to the Premier League, were easily in control and should have put the tie to bed as Taylor's side showed them too much respect and stood off their opponents far too often.

Birmingham's main problem in the first half was central defender Martin Taylor needing to go off and have a head cut treated. He had to leave the field twice more because of blood seeping from the wound.

Wycombe did come out firing in the second half, though keeper Jamie Young first had to make a flying save from O'Connor.

Chris Zebroski volleyed over the Birmingham bar and then got in a low close range effort that keeper Colin Doyle had to push for a corner. Doyle then clawed away another effort from Zebroski.

But on 65 minutes, Birmingham at last confirmed their superiority as O'Connor centred for Larsson to easily slide the ball inside the left post.

Birmingham added a third when Cameron Jerome headed in a cross from Larsson in the 73rd minute. Quincy Owusu-Abeyie added a late fourth on his debut.