West Bromwich Albion suffered a devastating defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the highly-anticipated Black Country Derby on Sunday, losing 2-0 to crash out of the Emirates FA Cup at the fourth round stage. It was unclear if the game would reach a conclusion as ugly scenes in the corner of the Birmingham Road End led to a 30-minute suspension, with police involved to break up intense fracas caused by Wolves fans caught in the home crowd.
The first clash between the two sides in three years and the first in front of fans since 2012, there was always bound to be trouble – and such a probability proved true as the game was paused in the 82nd minute. Things got incredibly tense immediately after Wolves’ second goal as Wanderers fans appeared to be caught celebrating in the home end, sparking a huge brawl. Both sets of players were forced to leave the field of play but eventually returned to play out the final period of the encounter.
West Brom, albeit the eventual losers of the clash, came out the stronger of the two teams as they showed better intensity and forced three saves from Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa within the opening 10 minutes. Brandon Thomas-Asante’s close-range header was sandwiched between two Jed Wallace efforts but all three were simple for Sa to stop. Wanderers eventually got a foothold in the game following a shaky opening quarter of an hour and had a big chance of their own as Matheus Cunha gained a yard in the box. The Brazilian, merely 15 yards out, was teed up brilliantly by a low Pedro Neto cross but couldn’t control his first-time effort, skying the ball well over the bar.
The Hawthorns away end roared into life in the 38th minute as Neto struck a dagger in West Brom hearts with a delightful finish to earn Wolves a 1-0 lead with their very first shot on target. The goal came from a Wanderers counter as an ambitious Albion corner attempt was intercepted by Matt Doherty and the experienced full-back switched the play to find Neto on the right. Wolves’ number seven rode two or three challenges before displaying excellent composure to reverse a shot into the near post, sending the travelling support into raptures. Flare smoke painted the tense Hawthorns air gold; the visitors jubilant before the interval.
It was a cagey start to the second half as neither side were able to gain control of proceedings. The tension grew as the Baggies were denied a penalty when Brandon Thomas-Asante went down in the six-yard box, but it was a fair challenge from Wolves skipper Max Kilman. Albion then had two or three half chances from the edge of the area but it was the Old Gold who had the next big chance as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde went agonisingly to earning his team a two-goal lead. The summer deadline day signing worked space around 25 yards out and opened up his body to curl towards the far corner, but the ball flashed merely inches wide of the post.
Wolves took confidence from that moment and made West Brom pay as they made it 2-0 in the 78th minute. Kilman, pretty much out of nowhere, played a superb long through ball over the top to Cunha and the Brazilian finished cooly, finding a gap between the legs of Josh Griffiths. Kyle Bartley offered no competition whatsoever as Cunha had the time and space to strike low and hard before wheeling away in celebration in front of a packed away end. It was moments later that things turned ugly at The Hawthorns, with emotions heightened and tensions flaring throughout the crowd trouble.
It was all Albion when the game eventually got back underway and there was the odd chance of note, particularly one for John Swift as Jose Sa was forced into a reflex save, but Wolves dug deep to hold on – a huge blow for all associated with West Brom. Here are our Albion player ratings from The Hawthorns.
1. Josh Griffiths - 6
Griffiths, stepping in for only his third appearance of the season, patrolled his area effectively in the first half. The 22-year-old couldn’t do much about Neto’s goal but definitely could’ve done better to keep Cunha’s out. He did make a brilliant save to deny the Brazilian a brace, though.
2. Darnell Furlong - 5
The right-back was, as always, a threat with his long throwing as he forced Wolves to scramble the ball away. He really lacked composure in possession, however, as far too many passes were misplaced.
3. Kyle Bartley - 6 (off at restart after crowd trouble)
Bartley was perhaps a little lucky to stay on as he elbowed Cunha and got up in the face of Dawson soon afterward. It was the kind of desire and fight you want to see in such a big game, though.
4. Cedric Kipre - 6 (off at restart after crowd trouble)
The Ivorian made some top interventions on the ground but struggled in the air.