Birmingham City 3-1 Rotherham United: Lukas Jutkiewicz hat-trick earns Blues win over Rotherham
- Published
Lukas Jutkiewicz's treble doubled his goal tally for the season so far
Lukas Jutkiewicz scored a hat-trick as Birmingham City extended their unbeaten run to eight games with victory over Rotherham.
The Blues striker scored twice from close range in the space of three first-half minutes to give the hosts a deserved 2-0 half-time lead.
He drilled the ball through a crowd of players to complete his first senior career treble after the break.
Jon Taylor's near-post finish gave the Millers hope late on, but the visitors were unable to avoid a sixth defeat from six away Championship games so far this season.
Birmingham, who remain unbeaten at home since 6 March, had drawn all five of their previous matches at St Andrew's this term, but always looked likely to claim that elusive first home win after Jutkiewicz's quickfire first-half double.
The 29-year-old took advantage of poor Millers defending to head in at the back post, before tapping in the rebound from Gary Gardner's saved effort moments later.
He made it 3-0 with a low strike after the Blues cleverly worked a short free-kick, sealing Garry Monk's side's second win of the season, having drawn eight of their previous 11 Championship games.
Rotherham, who are now two points above the drop zone, were less potent in front of goal, although Taylor's neat finish did at least see them score on their travels in the league for the first time since the opening weekend.
Birmingham boss Garry Monk:
"Lukas was clinical and things went our way. He has an incredible work rate and we try to play to his strengths.
"He does this every match. He gets into the right positions and he deserves his goals. It's his work he does for the team which impresses me rather than his goals.
"The performance will give all the players confidence. The hard work they are putting in will allow them to create the goal opportunities.
"We have never doubted ourselves. This can be seen from all our performances. The game against Rotherham was lower in terms of performance but it was solid. It was what was needed and it was good that we were clinical with our finishing."
Rotherham manager Paul Warne told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"We weren't as good as we have been recently, quite obviously.
"Physically the lads gave me everything but I just didn't think they looked as sharp as they have been in recent weeks.
"I don't think we got outplayed, I just think we got a little bit outmuscled which I don't normally say about my team.
"Playing on Wednesday night took its toll. Lots of the players looked jaded, it was possibly a game too far."