MANCHESTER, England – Manchester City’s magnificent start to the season shows no sign of slowing as Elano’s first half goal sealed a 1-0 win over Birmingham on Saturday.

The Brazilian’s strike moved Sven Goran Eriksson’s side into second place in the Premier League and, although Manchester United would jump over them with a win over Aston Villa in Saturday’s late game, City’s fans departed Eastlands dreaming of a title challenge.

Birmingham were obdurate opponents but they were unable to stop City maintaining their 100 percent home record this season.

This was a sixth win at fortress Eastlands and evidence of the success of Eriksson’s reign doesn’t come any clearer than that.

Steve Bruce could take heart from his side’s battling display but defeat capped a traumatic week for the Blues boss, who was refused permission to speak to managerless Bolton, even though his future at St Andrews is far from secure.

Potential owner Carson Yeung is still to meet with Bruce to discuss reports that he wants to bring in his own manager, but the Hong Kong businessman could only be impressed by his team’s desire if not their cutting edge.

Birmingham had lost their previous three matches but they started brightly enough and had a chance to take the lead when goalkeeper Joe Hart was penalised for picking up Didi Hamann’s back pass.

The indirect free-kick worked its way to Cameron Jerome but his powerful effort deflected wide.

Elano has a happy knack of scoring from long-range and he had Birmingham worried with a 25-yard free-kick that was just off-target.

Eriksson’s side have played some superb football at times this season and they were beginning to hit their stride.

Birmingham defender Stephen Kelly alertly cleared from Vedran Corluka, then Martin Petrov drove a shot over.

Visiting teams have found Eastlands a fortress this season but Birmingham were giving as good as they got.

They threatened when Wilson Palacios put Jerome through but Hart raced off his life to block.

The hosts responded immediately and Richard Dunne glanced Petrov’s cross wide.

Dunne had no need to rue that miss as Elano broke the deadlock in the 37th minute.

Corluka was the provider with an astute pass that gave Elano a clear sight of goal and the Brazil midfielder steadied himself to drive home his fourth goal of the season.

Birmingham protested that Fabrice Muamba had been fouled by Michael Johnson in the build-up, but referee Mike Dean waved away their complaints.

Driven on by a sense of injustice, Bruce’s team should have equalised moments later, but Olivier Kapo’s shot was easy for Hart.

Petrov nearly scored direct from a corner early in the first half but Kelly cleared off his line. The Bulgarian tested Maik Taylor with another effort soon after as City kept up their pressure.

When Elano shot just wide, the thought that City may regret so many misses started to loom. Birmingham certainly went close when Rafael Schmitz’s shot was cleared off the line by Micah Richards.