Source: Telegraph
West Bromwich Albion 3 Birmingham City 1: Match report
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish signed a new three-year contract - then saw his side overwhelmed by West Bromwich Albion who came from behind to win a 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] Related ArticlesAlex McLeish signs new Birmingham contractMcFadden faces eight months outPremier League tableTelegraph player raterWBA v Birmingham City: liveWest Brom v Birmingham City: match previewBut 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.[LNB]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]Albion finished the first half with a flourish and Gabriel Tamas powered a header just past the post from a deep centre by Brunt.[LNB]Di Matteo made a half-time substitution with midfielder Graham Dorrans replacing Fortune, whose place in attack was taken by Odemwingie.[LNB]After 51 minutes an own goal from Dann brought Albion back on level terms.[LNB]Thomas was the creator with a run to the by-line and he held off the challenge of Stephen Carr before supplying a low cross.[LNB]Dann, under pressure from Odemwingie, could only deflect the ball past Foster.[LNB]Blues tried to retaliate and Gardner's low cross-shot was only just off target while Jerome's 20-yard strike was just too high.[LNB]But after 59 minutes Albion went ahead through Odemwingie.[LNB]Bowyer tried to cut out a ball across the box but his miscontrol let in Odemwingie who calmly took the ball wide of Foster before slipping into the net.[LNB]Odemwingie was yellow carded for his goal celebrations.[LNB]Bowyer needed lengthy treatment after being on the receiving end of a heavy challenge from Jara.[LNB]The City midfielder appeared to be losing his cool and was yellow carded after fouling Tamas. He was immediately substituted and replaced by 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 in complete command.[LNB]Thomas curled a 20-yard shot just wide before leaving the pitch to a standing ovation and being replaced by Giles Barnes.[LNB]
