In more than a year, Portuguese midfielder Silva scored his first goal at Etihad Stadium when, in the eighth minute, he fired the ball into the top corner after Birmingham defender George Friend failed to clear.
Bernardo Silva scored for Manchester City to defeat Birmingham City 3-0 to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup, Phil Foden also made his mark.
Seven minutes later, Silva doubled City’s lead, rounding off a clever team play with a quick tap-in and Foden made it 3-0 with a low shot from outside the box before the break.
Riyad Mahrez thought he had added City’s fourth around the hour-mark when he slotted in at the back post, but after the Algerian was ruled to have been offside the goal was disallowed.
Manchester City – Birmingham City 3-0
Goals: Bernardo Silva (8, 15), Foden (33)
