Bournemouth battled back from two goals down to defeat Birmingham City 4-2 at Dean Court this afternoon.

The victory, which was Bournemouth's 22nd of the season, has seen them rise to the top of the Championship standings with just five matches left to play.

Yet, it appeared that the visiting Blues were going to gain an element of revenge for the 8-0 thrashing that they suffered at the hands of their hosts earlier in the season when they raced into a two-goal lead within the opening 21 minutes.

First, Clayton Donaldson broke the deadlock with a lobbed finish in the 18th minute, before David Cotterill's low shot from a narrowing angle found the far corner of the net.

However, having been second best for much of the contest up until that point, the pendulum swung Bournemouth's way six minutes before the break.

The visiting defence failed to clear their lines and were duly punished when centre-back Steve Cook bundled the ball over the line following a goalmouth scramble.

Eddie Howe's men were not done there, either, as Callum Wilson drew them level in first-half stoppage time. The striker beat the Birmingham offside trap, before rounding Darren Randolph to roll in his 20th goal of the season.

The turnaround was then completed just three minutes into the second half courtesy of Yann Kermorgant, who kept his composure from the penalty spot after Wilson had been fouled inside the area by Paul Robinson.

From that moment onwards, the home side were the dominant force as the likes of Kermorgant and Wilson called Randolph into action, while defender Tommy Elphick sent a headed effort crashing against the crossbar.

A fourth Bournemouth goal did arrive 15 minutes from time, though, albeit from an unlikely source. Harry Arter was denied twice in quick succession, but Charlie Daniels was on hand to send his shot looping into the top corner of the net for his second goal of the campaign.

To make matters even worse for Gary Rowett's visitors, they lost the services of experienced defender Robinson in the closing stages when he was handed a straight red card for a professional foul on Wilson.

They did at least stop the rot between that point and the end of the game as the scoreline remained the same, despite Arter's best efforts when his shot from distance struck the upright.