Wolves 1-0 West Brom: FLW report as Lopez seals Black Country derby win for hosts | OneFootball

FLW report from Molineux for this Black Country derby

Wolverhampton Wanderers recorded back-to-back 1-0 wins in the Championship as Fer Lopez's second-half winner saw them defeat West Bromwich Albion in the Black Country derby at Molineux.

In a game largely dominated by Cesar Peixoto's side, the Spanish playmaker scored his fourth goal of the season after capitalising on an error from Nat Phillips minutes after half-time.

James Morrison's side pushed for an equaliser late in the contest but were unable to break down Wolves' stubborn rearguard, with the hosts winning their first league version of this particular grudge match since May 2011.

Wolves 1-0 West Bromwich Albion

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The first clear-cut chance fell Wolves' way inside seven minutes as George Campbell's loose ball was intercepted by Adam Armstrong, eventually finding its way to Marshall Munetsi, who, in an advanced position, saw a low drive deflected behind by Callum Styles.

The hosts' early pressure continued when Rodrigo Gomes' low ball for Adam Armstrong was turned behind by Phillips, with Max O'Leary pulling off a fine save to thwart Nasser Djiga's crashing header seconds later before somehow denying Gomes' follow-up.

West Brom's first chance to test Jose Sa came from Isaac Price's free-kick on 21 minutes, but the experienced shot-stopper was able to comfortably gather the Northern Ireland international's effort.

O'Leary was then called upon twice more as Peixoto's side continued to dominate, with the Albion keeper standing firm against a powerful Mateus Mane strike before palming Munetsi's glancing header past his right-hand post.

More impressive work from Mane presented Lopez with Wolves' next opening late in the half, but the in-form Spaniard could only skew his effort off target.

The Baggies were presented with an opportunity in the second half's opening minute, but after initially drawing the foul from Andre, Jayson Molumby couldn't generate any connection with his effort from Callum Styles' short free-kick.

Wolves then took a deserved lead on 50 minutes when Lopez pounced on a stray Phillips backpass to coolly slot it past O'Leary first-time in front of the North Bank.

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Sa was, again, forced into a save from a Price free-kick on 64 minutes, with the Albion playmaker audaciously aiming for the left-hand corner from a tight angle, forcing the Portuguese into a fingertip save.

Wanderers had the chance to seal the game eight minutes from time as Hugo Bueno looked to send Gomes one on one with O'Leary, but the winger failed to beat the offside trap despite a smart eventual save from the Albion man.

West Brom were then unable to net a desired equaliser as the game drew to a close, with Wolves leapfrogging their bitter rivals into fourth on goal difference ahead of the international break.

Player Ratings

Wolves

Jose Sa - 7

Kieran Trippier - 7

Nasser Djiga - 7.5

Toti Gomes - 7

Hugo Bueno - 6.5

Andre - 7.5

Marshall Munetsi - 7 (James 78" - 6.5)

Rodrigo Gomes - 7 (Neave 88" - N/A)

Fer Lopez - 7.5 (Doyle 72" - 6)

Mateus Mane - 7 (Bellegarde 73" - 6.5)

Adam Armstrong - 6.5 (Boubacar Traore 88" - N/A)

Unused Subs: J.Virginia, J.Tchatchoua, G.Konan, Bertrand Traore

West Bromwich Albion

Max O'Leary - 7.5

Callum Styles - 6.5

George Campbell - 6

Nat Phillips - 5.5

Conor Townsend - 6.5

Harry Whitwell - 6.5 (Nzingoula 61" - 6)

Jayson Molumby - 6 (Collyer 84" - 6)

Ousmane Diakite - 6

Isaac Price - 6 (Tunde 84" - 6)

Jimmy-Jay Morgan - 6

Aune Heggebo - 5.5 (Stewart 61" - 6)

Unused Subs: M.Ingram, B.Pereira, C.Mepham, F.Myhre, T.Bany

Cesar Peixoto reacts as Wolves win Black Country derby

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Reacting to Wolves' success and overall performance, Peixoto said: "It's very important.

It's only three points. But, we knew the importance of this game for our supporters. We wanted to win this game to our supporters, but for ourselves also, I think the players deserve this win.

"They played with (a) big soul, bigger organisation, big quality, we created a lot of chances. We could score more goals, but an important win," he added.

"We're going to rest now because of the international break. It's important to rest with the win and to be as strong as possible when we return to training.

Asked about the backing from Wolves' home crowd, the Portuguese added: "The fans today were amazing.

I think the team pushed and supported us till the end, because the team did a great job today. (It's) important, this win to the supporters, but only three points in the pocket for us.

"The Championship is too long, too tough, and we have to stay with our feet on the floor and work hard like we worked (until now)," Peixoto stated.

James Morrison reacts as West Brom suffer Molineux defeat

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Reacting to the Baggies' first defeat in five games, Morrison said: "(I thought) that's what we need to do, really. Getting to half-time at 0-0.

"(I was pleased) that we were able to survive without conceding. I thought Max made some big saves and I felt like we could get to half-time and regroup.

"Obviously, momentum of games is massive in this league. We've given them the opportunities, really, to the point, and we didn't threaten the goal enough. I can't really remember one opportunity," the Albion boss claimed.

"Set-plays (were) not good enough again. We just didn't have that belief today, really, though, from what I've seen. Maybe that was a bit of anxiety after giving the ball the way early.

"Even though they put us under a little bit of pressure, in games like this, you've got to be able to deal with the pressure and take the ball and play forward," Morrison explained.

Attendance

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