Norwich City scored twice in the first half at Carrow Road to hand Birmingham City a first Championship defeat of the season.

Oscar Schwartau's stunning strike put the Canaries in front against the run of play before Papa Diallo doubled the lead.

Carlos Vicente pulled one back for the Blues in the 64th minute but the hosts held on.

Philippe Clement's side have won four of their past five matches in all competitions and are ninth in the early-season table, two points above Birmingham.

It was a cagey start to the game with both sides trading blows in the opening 15 minutes. Jay Stansfield failed to keep a shot down at one end before Kenny McLean fired wide for Norwich at the other.

Liam Millar thought he had given Birmingham the lead on 23 minutes after finishing from Stansfield's cross, but he was adjudged to have been offside.

Five minutes later Schwartau compounded Blues' misery with a fierce strike from distance after being afforded far too much space.

Diallo made it two six minutes before half-time. Andre Brooks found space on the right and fired a low cross, which the Senegal midfielder dispatched.

The second half began as a rather scrappy affair, with the lack of quality in possession a frustrating theme of the evening as Birmingham looked to force the issue.

They did not have to wait long, as Vicente thumped home Millar's cross to halve the deficit and make the home crowd nervous with 26 minutes remaining.

Norwich substitute Ante Crnac forced a good save from James Beadle as he looked to make sure of the win.

Instantly, Beadle set Stansfield away with a well-executed throw, but Vicente missed the target after being played through on goal with a chance to complete the comeback.

Give us your views on Norwich's performance

What did you make of Birmingham's display?

Norwich manager Philippe Clement told BBC Radio Norfolk:

"We wanted the roar and the crowd gave that to the team.

"It was a good interaction between all of us.

"We knew this was a tough game. Birmingham hadn't lost and had won the most head duels this season. They are very direct.

"We defended set pieces really well and had the best chances. We scored two really good goals and could have scored more.

"Their goalkeeper made really good saves in the second half. A well-deserved victory with a lot of positives."

Birmingham manager Chris Davies told BBC Radio WM:

"It was very frustrating overall.

"We started really well, looked dangerous. We scored a goal I think was onside that was disallowed.

"I don't know what I can say on the officials but I can't remember a game where I've been so disappointed before.

"I couldn't believe some of the decisions but we are never going to win games if we defend like we did for their two goals.

"They haven't had to work hard to score. That cost us the game; that is not on. I wasn't happy at half-time but we responded well. We gave ourselves too much to do away from home."