Wolves claim comeback victory in Championship clash with local rivals Birmingham
Wolves struck back to record a 3-1 Championship victory over 10-man Birmingham in the local derby at St Andrew's.
They had to storm back after conceding a 24th-minute goal from debutant Che Adams to inflict Birmingham's first defeat in nine league games with second-half goals from Joe Mason, skipper Danny Batth and Jon Bodvarsson.
The one bonus from the game for the hosts was the promising display of Adams who promisingly demonstrated his goal flair which persuaded manager Gary Rowett to sign him last week from Sheffield United, but - in the 76th minute - he was forced to make way for Jack Storer, who was then sent off six minutes later for retaliation.
Conor Coady had given an early indication of Wolves' intentions with a powerful long-range drive which had goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak scrambling across his goal to make a low diving save.
At this stage a revitalised Wolves played with positive assurance with Matt Doherty making his usual forays forward from defence.
Birmingham more than held their own and settled down to their customary battling performance against a Wolves side which operated in sudden attacking surges.
Only a timely interception by Kortney Hause prevented new boy Adams from opening his account early in the game after the persistent Clayton Donaldson had forced his way through a packed Wolves defence.
A bad mistake by Jacques Maghoma midway through the first half allowed Wolves to smartly counter attack but Michael Morrison and Ryan Shotton combined effectively to avert the danger created by Doherty.
The home side's increasing pressure finally paid off in the 24th minute when Adams, showing great composure at the far post coolly slotted a low shot home to complete his dream debut.
Walter Zenga's visitors had to defend doggedly and rely on isolated raids as highlighted by Bodvarsson's individual run and shot from long range to test former Wolves keeper, Kuszczak.
It took the away side some time to recover their composure and threaten with some positive attacks. Mason went close but his effort was blocked by Shotton.
But two minutes into the second half, Mason made no mistake. He took a pass from Bodvarsson and lashed home the equaliser with a 20-yard low drive on the run past a helpless Kuszczak in front of Wolves' 2,761 travelling fans.
With Birmingham on the ropes, Jed Wallace pressurised the Blues with a blistering shot which was deflected over the bar.
Wolves tightened their grip and sailed into a 61st-minute lead. Doherty was on hand to head a Wallace corner goalwards but saw Kuszczak make a good save only to parry the ball into the path of the unmarked Batth, who stroked his shot into the net.
In a frantic finish Storer blotted his copy-book with a challenge that was out of character for the youngster and was sent off.
While, in the 84th minute - with Birmingham chasing the equaliser - Wolves broke clear with Bodvarsson smashing home another powerful cross from 12 yards.
Source: PA
