Matthew Upson had the last laugh on the Birmingham boo-boys as Mark Noble's second-half penalty secured a 1-0 victory for West Ham at St Andrews.
Upson, skippering the side in the absence of Lucas Neill, received a hostile reception on his first return to St Andrews since his January move to Upton Park.
But Noble ensured Alan Curbishley's side regained their pride after the opening day loss to Manchester City with a 68th minute spot-kick after Blues 'keeper Colin Doyle was adjudged to have brought down Craig Bellamy.
It leaves Birmingham still searching for its first win of the campaign and in desperate need of a midfield play-maker before the transfer window closes in two weeks.
The Hammers, who gave a debut to new signing Kieron Dyer, deserved their success for an improved second half performance after neither side looked threatening in the first.
Noble impressed in the centre of the park - the only survivor in that department from the side which faced Manchester City - and the margin of victory would have been greater had Bobby Zamora showed more clinical finishing.
Liam Ridgewell again impressed at the heart of the increasingly over-worked City back four and when they ventured forward too often the final ball was lacking in creativity.
Early in the match, Garry O'Connor, who scored his first goal for City in the mid-week draw with Sunderland, tried his luck from 25 yards out but screwed his shot across the face of the goal.
Blues major share-holder Carson Yeung looked on from the directors box - and saw the woodwork deny West Ham from taking a 25th minute lead.
Rahdi Jaidi handled some 35 yards from the Birmingham goal and Mark Noble's fierce skidding drive beat the dive of Colin Doyle but thumped against the post.
Birmingham's best attempt of the opening half came in injury-time when Robert Green parried Rahdi Jaidi's shot after Mikael Forssell's initial attempt had been blocked following Sebastian Larsson's free-kick.
West Ham looked more dangerous after the break and a mazy run by Noble took him to the by-line before squaring the ball back into the path of Craig Bellamy.
His first-time shot was blocked by Ridgewell and the ball eventually squirmed out of play.
But soon it was all West Ham and Zamora twice should have done better in the space of three minutes.
The ex Brighton player should have at least hit the target after controlling a deep Ferdinand cross but lofted over the bar. Then Zamora volleyed over from close range after another good run by Etherington.
The Hammers finally went ahead after 70 minutes when Blues stopper Colin Doyle was adjudged to have brought down Bellamy on the right side of the box. Up stepped Noble to make no mistake from the penalty spot.
City substitute McSheffrey forced Green to tip a skidding 30 yard free-kick around the post.
Bellamy then could have opened his Hammers account but his volley was only half-hit and saved by Doyle who also denied Dyer after he raced completely clear.
English Premier League
Birmingham City 0
West Ham 1 (Noble 70p)