Hodgson enjoys first win

05 March 2011 15:30
Roy Hodgson celebrated his first three-point haul as West Brom boss courtesy of a 3-1 win over Birmingham, who suffered a massive Carling Cup hangover in the relegation battle at St Andrew's. After a drab opening half, Hodgson brought on Peter Odemwingie for the second period and he made an instant impact in setting up the opening goal for Youssouf Mulumbu in the 47th minute. The substitute's pass was perfectly timed for Mulumbu to flick the ball wide of Ben Foster and into the net. Birmingham responded immediately and equalised within a minute through Jean Beausejour, who nipped in between two defenders to steer home a cross from Lee Bowyer. But a superb strike from James Morrison restored Albion's lead in the 58th minute. Steven Reid made good ground before finding Morrison, who cut inside Curtis Davies and volleyed left-footed past Foster. Odemwingie missed a great chance to double the visitors' advantage after 67 minutes. Chris Brunt's shot hit the post and fell to Odemwingie unmarked 10 yards out - but he fired over the bar. With 18 minutes remaining Paul Scharner made it 3-1, though. Blues failed to pick up Brunt from a short Morrison corner and his centre was headed over the line by Scharner from an acute angle at the far post.

Source: PA