Match Report: West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Peter Odemwingie was on the scoresheet as West Brom moved out of the relegation zone with a derby win over Wolves. Mick McCarthy's side made a positive start to the game with Adam Hammill coming close early on. He forced a decent save out of Ben Foster inside two minutes before Kevin Doyle saw a penalty appeal turned down by referee Chris Foy. But moments later they were made to pay. A lapse in concentration at the back allowed Premier League debutant Billy Jones to reach the byline and his cut back was side-footed into the roof of the net by Chris Brunt. The goal came against the run of play and Wolves almost found an immediate equaliser when Nenad Milijas' shot was blocked off the line but, for all of their possession, Wolves created little more in front of goal. The Baggies looked dangerous on the break and almost had their second before half-time but for an incredible last ditch challenge from Stephen Ward to deny Shane Long in a goalscoring position. Roger Johnson could have been given his marching orders after the restart when he brought down Long as the last man but the referee thought the skipper got enough of the ball. Hammill then came close again for Wolves as his shot was again saved by Foster. The hosts always looked the most likely to get the all-important second goal and Brunt was denied his second of the game by Wayne Hennessey on the hour mark. Jonas Olsson saw his shouts for a penalty turned down when he was wrestled by Christophe Berra in the build-up to a Baggies corner. Johnson should have equalised for Wolves when he steered a free header wide from six-yards and it was clear it was not going to be their day when substitute Odemwingie doubled the scoreline on the 76th minute. Paul Scharner set up the opportunity with a neat back-heel and the Nigerian clinically finished from 18-yards. It is Roy Hodgson's first win over Wolves at the sixth attempt and moves the Baggies up to 11th in the table. Wolves meanwhile are in free fall after sinking to their fifth successive defeat and hover above the drop zone.