Here's how The Lancashire Telegraph scored the players' performances, with a six representing par for the course.

Leopold Walhstedt - 7

Pulled off a couple of important saves at 3-1 to stem the tide. Couldn't do much about either of Dembele's great strikes.

Lewis Travis - 6

The captain had his hands full against the lively Dembele. Brought him down and received a yellow, which rules him out of Saturday's match through suspension. Taken off at half-time with the yellow in mind. Created some good moments going forward.

James Hill - 7

Took aim from the edge of the box to score his first Blackburn goal. Goalkeeper should have saved it but they all count.

Hayden Carter - 7

Handled the physical threat of Jutkiewicz well. Neither of the goals came from his side.

Harry Pickering - 7

Solid defensively as usual on the left. Got forward a bit more in the second half which helped create overloads.

Sondre Tronstad - 6

A little loose in some of his passing in the first half, by his standards. Still got stuck in and won the ball back for the team.

Adam Wharton - 6

A fantastic defence-splitting pass for the opener to find Szmodics. A few moments where he switched off on the defensive side though.

Sam Szmodics - 8

He's just flying right now, isn't he? Full of confidence and that showed with two fantastic finishes. 

Callum Brittain - 6

Not his best game, by recent high standards. Moved to right-back after half-time and was caught out trying to win the ball ahead of Dembele for the first. 

Andrew Moran - 8

Looked like the most likely man to make something happen in the first half with some driving runs and clever passes. Quietened after the break but another lively performance.

Tyrhys Dolan - 6

Looked bright in the early exchanges but picked up an injury and had to go off after 16 minutes. Hopefully, nothing serious.

Substitutes:

Harry Leonard (Dolan, 16') - 7

On as an early change and led the line well. Held the ball up when his side needed him to. Took his goal very well.

Arnor Sigurdsson (Travis, 45') - 6

A mixed half. Started it off really well in an attacking sense but struggled with the pace of the game when Birmingham started to get goals back. He's adapting to the physical side of English football.

Unused substitutes: Hilton, Gamble, Atcheson, Duru, Garrett, Markanday, Telalovic.

Referee: Leigh Doughty

Attendance: 12,693