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. Blues controlled the first half and deservedly led at the interval through Cameron Jerome's first goal of the campaign. Level pegging: Peter Odemwingie pounces on defensive uncertain from Scott Dann to get the Baggies back into the gameBut 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. 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. 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. Odemwingie should have put the Baggies ahead after 14 minutes. Thomas made a decisive run into the Birmingham box before turning the ball back across to the unmarked Odemwingie. But he failed to make proper contact on his shot and Ben Foster was able to make a comfortable save to his right. It proved a costly miss and 60 seconds later Jerome put unbeaten Blues in front with his first goal of the season. 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. 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. 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. 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. Stranded: West Brom keeper Scott Carson (left) can do nothing to prevent Cameron Jerome giving Birmingham the lead 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. 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. 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. 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. Flashpoint: Birmingham City's Lee Bowyer (centre) has words with referee Chris FoyOdemwingie was yellow carded for his goal celebrations. Bowyerneeded lengthy treatment after being on the receiving end of a heavychallenge from Jara. The City midfielder appeared to be losing his cool and was yellowcarded after fouling Tamas. He was immediately substituted and replacedby Nikola Zigic. Bowyer was involved in some exchanges with Albion fans sat behind the Blues dug-out area and eventually moved seats. Then after 69 minutes Olsson increased Albion's lead when he was unmarked when heading home an inswinging corner from Brunt. Carson handed referee Chris Foy an object which was thrown on the pitch from the area housing Birmingham fans behind his goal. 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. 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