West Brom 2-0 Wolves – Match Review

West Bromwich Albion are the pride of the Black Country this evening after edging out Wolves 2-0, in what proved a pulsating derby.

The win was the Baggies first over Wolves in the top flight for some 29yrs and it sees Roy Hodgson leapfrog their great rivals in the table. This was Wolves 5^th consecutive defeat and Mick McCarthy is under no illusions that they need to get out of this slump and quick.

Wolves actually started the game well and had the majority of possession throughout the first half, although West Brom was extremely dangerous on the counter attack. In fact it was the Baggies first attack in the game that brought the first goal of the afternoon as Chris Brunt fired in after good work from Billy Jones.

Mick McCarthy’s men huffed and puffed and yet a lack of quality in the final third cost them dear. Not for the first time Wolves have created chances but have been unable to convert them and how they must have looked on enviously at Peter Odemwingie and Shane Long.

The latter in particular had a fantastic game and although he was unable to find the net, proved a constant threat to the Wolves backline and gave Roger Johnson a tough afternoon.

West Brom were much improved in the second half and got control of the game and certainly looked the most likely to bag a second. It arrived duly 15mins from time when Peter Odemwingie drilled home after excellent work from Paul Scharner.

A 2-0 defeat was harsh on Wolves and manager Mick McCarthy was quick to point out that despite the five consecutive losses, the spirit in the camp is absolutely fine:

“There is nothing wrong with the Wolves spirit, effort and endeavour despite five defeats on the bounce. Spirit, effort and endeavour is always there but we need to be better in the box.”

The win however drags West Brom out of the bottom three for the first time this season and Roy Hodgson hailed their first home win of the season and their third clean sheet of the season:

“It was a very important game and it was excellent to get our first home win of the season. It was also important to get our third clean sheet from eight games. That’s more than the two for the whole of last season.

“If we keep three clean sheets every eight, we’ll be fine.” (BBC)