A jittery start by Tottenham saw them on the back foot as they continued to toil.
Spurs could not get out of first gear with Aaron Lennon being well marshalled, Edgar Davids looking anonymous and Michael Carrick's passing game being stifled but they upped the tempo after the break.
After the hammer blow Spurs goal Birmingham did not deserve Jermaine Pennant and sub Mikael Forssell continued to cause problems. However, Ledley King had regained his composure from the first half and was looking assured. Dawson, too, enjoyed an excellent second half.