Source: Daily_Mail
West Brom 3 Birmingham 1: Olsson puts Baggies on cruise control
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish signed a new three-year contract -then saw his side overwhelmed by West Brom who came from behind to wina pulsating derby clash at The Hawthorns. [LNB]Blues controlled the first half and deservedly led at the interval through Cameron Jerome's first goal of the campaign.[LNB] [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] Level pegging: Peter Odemwingie pounces on defensive uncertain from Scott Dann to get the Baggies back into the game[LNB]But the Baggies were transformed after the break with Peter Odemwingie, Jonas Olsson and an own goal from Scott Dann dooming City to their first defeat of the season. [LNB]Odemwingie caused all sort of problems when pushed into attack by Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo for the second half in place of Marc-Antoine Fortune, while Jerome Thomas tormented the Blues defence throughout the 90 minutes with his trickery and powerful runs and testing crosses. [LNB]Alexander Hleb made a promising debut for City on loan from Barcelona but, like his team-mates, had to play second fiddle to the home side during the second period. [LNB]Odemwingie should have put the Baggies ahead after 14 minutes. [LNB]Thomas made a decisive run into the Birmingham box before turning the ball back across to the unmarked Odemwingie. [LNB]But he failed to make proper contact on his shot and Ben Foster was able to make a comfortable save to his right. [LNB]It proved a costly miss and 60 seconds later Jerome put unbeaten Blues in front with his first goal of the season. [LNB]Larsson floated a free-kick from the central part of the pitch to Ridgewell who turned the ball back across goal - and Jerome made no mistake from close range. [LNB]West Brom tried to retaliate and Foster blocked a shot from a narrow angle by Paul Scharner following a deep centre by Brunt. Another probing Thomas centre found Brunt but his header did not over extend Foster. [LNB]At the other end Gardner got plenty of power into his first-time 25-yard drive but Scott Carson had his body behind the ball. [LNB]Gardner then produced a vital interception inside his own six-yard box to cut out a cross from Brunt with Scharner unmarked behind him and with the goal at his mercy. [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] Stranded: West Brom keeper Scott Carson (left) can do nothing to prevent Cameron Jerome giving Birmingham the lead[LNB] [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] [LNB]Albion finished the first half with a flourish and Gabriel Tamaspowered a header just past the post from a deep centre by Brunt. DiMatteo made a half-time substitution with midfielder Graham Dorransreplacing Fortune, whose place in attack was taken by Odemwingie.[LNB] After 51 minutes an own goal from Dann brought Albion back on levelterms. Thomas was the creator with a run to the by-line and he held offthe challenge of Stephen Carr before supplying a low cross. [LNB]Dann, under pressure from Odemwingie, could only deflect the ballpast Foster. Blues tried to retaliate and Gardner's low cross-shot wasonly just off target while Jerome's 20-yard strike was just too high.[LNB] But after 59 minutes Albion went ahead through Odemwingie. Bowyertried to cut out a ball across the box but his miscontrol let inOdemwingie who calmly took the ball wide of Foster before slipping intothe net. [LNB] Flashpoint: Birmingham City's Lee Bowyer (centre) has words with referee Chris Foy[LNB]Odemwingie was yellow carded for his goal celebrations. Bowyerneeded lengthy treatment after being on the receiving end of a heavychallenge from Jara. [LNB]The City midfielder appeared to be losing his cool and was yellowcarded after fouling Tamas. He was immediately substituted and replacedby Nikola Zigic.[LNB] Bowyer was involved in some exchanges with Albion fans sat behind the Blues dug-out area and eventually moved seats. [LNB]Then after 69 minutes Olsson increased Albion's lead when he was unmarked when heading home an inswinging corner from Brunt. [LNB]Carson handed referee Chris Foy an object which was thrown on the pitch from the area housing Birmingham fans behind his goal. [LNB]Brunt was too high with a 25-yard effort but Albion were now incomplete command. Thomas curled a 20-yard shot just wide before leavingthe pitch to a standing ovation and being replaced by Giles Barnes. [LNB] Premier League live: All the action as it happenedSign me up! McLeish commits to Birmingham with new three-year dealThe Midlander: West Brom have an extra steel about them this seasonBIRMINGHAM CITY FC
